lcTestString = replicate("ABCDEF",100000) ? LEN(lcTestString), SECONDS(), IIF(LEN(strtran( lcTestString, "BDF", "" ))>0, SECONDS(), 0) lcTestString = replicate("ABCDEF",100000) ? LEN(lcTestString), SECONDS(), IIF(LEN(Chrtran( lcTestString, "BDF", "" ))>0, SECONDS(), 0)just to give you an idea and a coffee break <g>. For lunch up the ante.