>#1 create table fields according to the settings.
>#2 in forms init read the settings and fill the format stuff of grids textbox according to the settings. It's just a string, isn't it?

Yes, Agnes that is what I am currently doing. I have made the fields decimals limited to maximum in real world. I have a settings table that stores the InputMask and they are put in at run time for the controls. Please see me reply to Gregory for the problem that prompted this question.

Thanks again.