>>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.

It was an awkward puzzle to begin with. I didn't like having to convert into numerical then back into character, your solution is more direct. tnx