So you'd rather have a business transaction/batch process fail? Unfortunately, I can't answer your question. However, the situation you describe perfectly illustrates my loathing for using AUTOEXTEND ... Ted No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.4/825 - Release Date: 5/30/2007 3:03 PM -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l