Ian has solved David's immediate problem, but just to answer the original question I'm trying to do a sql script (please see below) but i cant figure out how >> to get in a variable the value of the LAST_DAY in a month... any tips? >> >> If you ever really need to get query result into a SQL*Plus variable (for example, so you can use it in another SQL*Plus directive like TTITLE or a SPOOL filename), you want to use COLUMN x .... NEW_VALUE. See Rene Nyffenegger's example <http://www.adp-gmbh.ch/ora/sqlplus/new_value.html> or this OTN example<http://www.oracle.com/technology/support/tech/sql_plus/htdocs/sub_var9.html> . NEW_VALUE is a part of the SQL*Plus COLUMN command<http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/server.102/b14357/ch12013.htm#i2697128> . Regards Nigel
