I don't know if I understand your question exactly but if you want the ability to insert a record w/o having a valid date, you have to allow that column to "allow null".

>I am using SQL Server 7.0 . I have a large number of ASP forms that require multiple date/time stamps. As the form is processed, an indication of when a process was completed is added to the form. I am using SQL Server date/time data type, which gives me an error unless a valid date is entered. There can be no date entered until the process is completed. Is there some way to add a place holder for date? As a last resort I will use a character type, I would just like to know if there is another way to handle dates.
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>Tom