works fine - I DO need to store the dash (a change) - the '333-xxxx' is just what I need

>>Never Mind - I figured it out - FYI
>>
>>Input mask of '333-9999' and format of '999-9999' did the trick,
>There is no such Format code. Tested it under VFP7 SP1 and it does not do the job - in Valid and LostFocus events the Value property of the control is still '333-xxxx' where xxxx stands for the numbers entered.