select replace(file_name, 'elfd',elfp') from dba_data_files that will give what you want unless I have misunderstood you On 2/2/06, Johan Muller <johan.muller@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > > How can I use sql (decode I think) to do the following; > > select file_name from dba_data_files; > > > /u02/oradata/elfd/arch_closet_idx_01.dbf > > > Now I want to change the /elfd/ (sid) to /elfp/ in each string. > > Any idea (decode). I tried translate and replace but only manages to > return the (new) sid value of elfp. >