>I knew there had to be a better way than mine - tnx borislav - great solution.
>
>k
>>>Is there more concise way of converting a memory variable from A15 to A14
>>>Here's what i have - seems a tad convoluted to me. Maybe i should just be grateful i got it on one line.
>>>

>>>n1="A15"
>>>n2="A"+LTRIM(STR(VAL(SUBSTR(n1,2,2))-1))  &&& gives me n2=A14
>>>

>>>tnx
>>>k
>>
>>It is in one line already :-)
>>
>>If you need to change only LAST two digits:
>>

>>n1="A15"
>>n2="A"+TRANSFORM(VAL(RIGHT(n1,2))-1)
>>

Not sure if this will be better :-)
This is just another way.