>INDEX ON code1+ val(code2) to code
>but it said it is a "misoperand error". I need to use character for the code2 in some purpose, so what can I do?

I make this mistake all the time. Code2 is a character and code1 is numeric, correct?

INDEX ON str(code1) + code2. The next big trap I fall for is when both are numeric and I do an index on num1 + num2 and expect it to be ordered by character when I am really adding the two numerics.

HTH,

Jim