>O.K. - but imagine the impact of such constructs on each and every point where you have to fear something the like (Combobox)
>
>Agnes
>
>I think we can stop here. I see some failures in my initial test, I have a work around and there will be no change to VFP's engine anyway.

My solution provides workaround for earlier VFP versions. In VFP9 you simply use CAST and the problem is solved.

You do need to use some defensive solution for situations when the original field in the table allowed NULLs - seems like there is no way out of the problem.