Maybe the index isn't valid so Oracle is ignoring the hint, e.g. it's columns aren't specified in the WHERE clause of the query? Are you sure you flushed the old plan out of the shared pool? You should get "no rows selected" when you "select count(*) from v$sql_plan where hash_value = <outline_query_hash_value>;" There are a couple notes on Metalink about "why my hint is being ignored" and "why isn't my index being used" - don't recall the numbers off the top of my head, but you might want to look them up. Regards, Brandon ________________________________ From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Binh Pham My previous questions about stored outlines getting few answers from people on this list. However, I'm trying again. Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message or attachments hereto. Please advise immediately if you or your employer do not consent to Internet email for messages of this kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of this company shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it.