I guess thisis what you are looking for Then use the "alter database" command, this changes the current database characterset definition WITHOUT changing the actual data. Follow the steps in [NOTE:66320.1] Changing the Database Character Set or the Database National Character Set with these differences: instead of using "ALTER DATABASE CHARACTER SET <new_character_set>;" in step 3)4. use ALTER DATABASE CHARACTER SET INTERNAL_USE UTF8; This will skip the superset check and allow you to go from AL24UTFFSS to UTF8. The docid is Note:234381.1 -----Original Message----- From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bobak, Mark Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 3:41 PM To: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: change character set What version of Oracle??? Mark J. Bobak Oracle DBA ProQuest Company Ann Arbor, MI "Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc" -----Original Message----- From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Patrick Van der Sande Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 4:33 PM To: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: change character set Content-Type: Text/Plain; charset=3D"iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Dear,=3D0D =3D0D I am looking for a hidden or undocumented parameter that is used to eliminate=3D0D the super set check when a "alter dabase character set UTF8" is issued.=3D0D Since I am running a database in WE8ISO859P1 I can not switch the charact=3D er set=3D0D with the command above.=3D0D I know from my days at Oracle that such a parameter exists.=3D0D Can somebody tell me what the parameter is ??=3D0D I need it quite urgently.=3D0D =3D0D I also contacted Oracle Support but if somebody can help me in a quicker =3D way =3D2E=3D0D =3D0D Rgds,=3D0D =3D0D Patrick Van der Sande=3D0D Managing Director =3D0D ANDES Consulting BVBA=3D0D email : patrick.van.der.sande@xxxxxxxxx=3D0D website : http://www.andes-consulting.be -- Binary/unsupported file stripped by Ecartis -- -- Type: image/gif -- File: IMSTP.gif -- Binary/unsupported file stripped by Ecartis -- -- Type: Image/jpeg -- File: BackGrnd.jpg ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -----------------------------------------------------------------