I agree with Michael. This does not return the results as described. Furthermore, when TEXT contains NULL values, TEXT1 will be NULL. TEXT2 and TEXT3 will hold empty strings when there are second and third NULL values.

It's hard to think of a scenario when this might be useful. Presumably COMMENT_TEXT would have more than just three rows, right? :blink:

Without further details, this serves only as an example of how-not-to-post. Still, it may be immortalised in one of Mr Celko's books. :laugh: