* create* *table* test1( numbertest varchar2(2)); * insert* *into* test1 * values*('12'); *commit*; * select* * * from* test1 * where* numbertest = 12; *-- no error. output is 12 ** insert* *into* test1 * values*('g2'); *commit*; * select* * * from* test1 * where* numbertest = 12; *-- ORA-01722: invalid number . * This *test* (in 10g) proves that *as* long *as* *the* varchar2 *or* char column does *not* have *a* character *in* *any* *of* *the* *rows*, ORA-01722 *error* does *not* occur. *If* *the* column has *any* *row* containg *a* character other *than* *a* number, you get this ORA-01722 *error*. Ram Srinivasan Charlottesville, VA.