create cursor ppp( ppp M ) insert into PPP values('123') select left(ppp,255) from ppp && we now have a char(255) field !!, 1 more than the documentation && this one gets better select left(ppp,256) from ppp && we have a char(0) field && and better select left(ppp,257) from ppp && a char(1) field select left(ppp,2*256) from ppp && we have a char(0) field in fact, select left(.., n) returns a char field of length mod(n, 255)