got it, I'm not limited to 4000 in the spec ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael McMullen" <ganstadba@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 1:49 PM Subject: question about external files > 9.2 > I'm trying to load a file that has a field that can be > 4000 characters. > external files don't let you use a clob so I'm using a varchar2(4000). > problem is I don't want any rejected records but it's ok to only grab the > first 4000 characters. so how do I do this in external files, sqlloader I > could substr the column. > > Thanks > Mike > -- > //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l > -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l