>I'm trying to display charachers in the input mask, but they are input mask format characters ('L, X, R, etc...) and it will not allow me just to display the
>characters. For example, we have a 6 characher expression. The first 2 characters will always be an
>"XL" and then there will be four numbers, but as soon
>as we enter the "XL" VFP treats them as format
>characters. I hope this is clear. Any help will be
>greatly appreciated.

sorry this is not really an answer - but if XL is something you will always key in- why key it in at all- why not just get the 4 numbers?

Arnon