cool - nice observation, close but no cigar, unluckily SQL> set numformat 999999999999999999.999999 SQL> select * from toto; NUM -------------------------- .000000 -.000000 might as well go for it (despite the 18,5 format) SQL> set numformat 9.999999999999999999999999999999999999 SQL> / NUM --------------------------------------- .000000000000000000000000000000000000 -.000000000000000000000000000000000000 SQL> select dump (num) from toto; DUMP(NUM) ------------------------------------ Typ=2 Len=1: 128 Typ=2 Len=2: 63,102 Best Wishes Kyle Hailey http://oraclemonitor.com