>Alex-
>
>>As always, many ways to skin a fox. But I like the PADL() solution (that's the one I normally use). A quick unscientific timing of these functions in a loop showed PADL() to be over 40% faster. And using "@L 99", although there is nothing seriously wrong with it, looks to me a little '2.6ish'. <g>
>
>TRANSFORM isn't 2.6ish, is it? And we still have Format and InputMask clauses.
>
>Nice benchmark info, though. I like TRANSFORM when I don't know what sort of data I'll be seeing, or if it's more readable. Just my .02 USD.

Transform() is as much 2.xed as padx() - and they all accept any sort of parameter. You can get padc(datetime(), 40, '*-*') if you like, it will work.

Besides, I do prefer the "@L 99", because that's when I'm sure I'll get what I want; sometimes, a padx() function will operate on a number with all of its decimals, and the decimals tend to pop up uninvited.