I don't have any experience with external tables, but I wonder if you did an "alter table your_external_table project column all" and then ran the two selects again if that would make them match? For more info on the "project column all" and "project column referenced" clauses: http://download-west.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/server.102/b14231/tabl es.htm ________________________________ From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bobak, Mark Oracle 9.2.0.6 64-bit on Sparc-Solaris 9. I have an external table. If I select * from table, I get 3,371 rows. If I select count(*), I get 3,631?? 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.