just test in 10.2.0.4, the update also failed using order by i would guess it's the order by make the view unmodifiable, just a guess. from the note, it did not clarify the the order by clause will make a join view unmodifiable Updates on VIEWS Based On Joined Tables Fails With ORA-1779 ORA-1732 [ID 1015219.4] -- Regards Sidney Chen -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l