>> Thanks. Didn't used to be that way I don't think. Python 1.5.2 (#0, Apr 13 1999, 10:51:12) [MSC 32 bit (Intel)] on win32 Copyright 1991-1995 Stichting Mathematisch Centrum, Amsterdam >>> float(' 1.23456789e+004 ') 12345.6789 John> :-) Maybe string.ato[if] used to behave that way? Skip