I don't have access to the function right now but will try to post it later... When I say simple I really mean the call is simple. We handled it by using and adapting some code posted on another similar forum - it essentially creates three functions that together create a very flexible conversion. Being new to posting onto these kinds of forums I am not sure on the protocol and best way to upload code snippets - so if someone could enlighten me it would be great and I'll upload the functions. BTW - my posting was aimed more at the general assumption that it is better to do it on the front-end - which we have encountered regularly and have continually tried to dis-prove. Doing it with raw native SQL provides the maximum portability.