Tom, That's a great suggestion, but how could I do that in a view? Perhaps like this? CAST(RTRIM(OB_OID) AS NUMBER) OB_OID... would that work? Here is the view definition: CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW V_ITH_F AS (SELECT ITH_RID, TRANSACT, SKU, PKG, FROM_LOC, TO_LOC, TRANSACT_STT, WAVE, CAST(OB_OID AS NUMBER) OB_OID, OB_TYPE, CAST(IB_OID AS NUMBER) IB_OID, IB_TYPE, OB_LNO, IB_LNO, ACT_QTY, WHSE, FROM ITH_F); -----Original Message----- From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mercadante, Thomas F Sent: March 19, 2004 9:54 AM To: 'oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx' Subject: RE: Create view using CAST to change datatype Saira, My first idea would be to trim the blanks from the column thus converting the value to a null before casting. Would that work? What happens with the Cast statement when a null value is involved? Can you show the Create View Sql? thanks Tom Mercadante Oracle Certified Professional ---------------------------------------------------------------- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe send email to: oracle-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx put 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. -- Archives are at //www.freelists.org/archives/oracle-l/ FAQ is at //www.freelists.org/help/fom-serve/cache/1.html -----------------------------------------------------------------