sorry i'm coming in on this thread late, so if thats already been discussed or is not feasible, feel free to hit delete now. :) if you're doing things dynamically, use the create directory command and then you dont' have to mess with utl_file_dir. You can create the directory on the fly, use it and then drop it if need be. joe _______________________________________ Joe Testa, Oracle Certified Professional Senior Consultant Data Engineering and Administration Nationwide Investments (Work) 614-677-1668 (Cell) 614-312-6715 Interested in helping out your marriage? Ask me about "Weekend to Remember" Dec 12-14, 2008 here in Columbus. From: "John Dunn" <JDunn@xxxxxxxxx> To: "Booth.Steve" <Steve.Booth@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Date: 12/16/2008 09:04 AM Subject: RE: Alternatives to using utl_file Sent by: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx OK, thanks The biggest issue I have with utl_file is needing to define utl_file_dir= Since the directories we need to access are not known till run time we have to specify utl_file_dir=*, which is a security nightmare. John