In a view of three joined tables, I install a INSTEAD OF trigger fx on the view. The fx contains a list of felds/columns variable associated to each base tables. When an update operation occurs, I am successfully generating the target list of colums altered on Each base table. ( comparing OLD v NEW ) and attempting some dynamic sql generation in my trigger fx. I am taking the list of modified fields on the view, and attempting an update on appropriate base tables. In this sample case "language_preference" was modified on the view and should update the admn.user base table EXECUTE format(' UPDATE admin.user SET (%I) = ( SELECT %I FROM $1 ) WHERE id = $2)', USER_SETTING, USER_SETTING ) USING NEW, NEW.id; When this executes my exception handler generates "err syntax error at or near \"$1\" The formatted statement on my base table (admin.user ) that is throwing this is executing would be: UPDATE admin.user SET (language_preference) = ( SELECT language_preference FROM $1 ) WHERE id = $2)" Feel Like Im close but missing something fundamental. I also an update variant UPDATE [ ONLY ] table_name [ * ] [ [ AS ] alias ] SET ( column_name [, ...] ) = [ ROW ] ( { expression | DEFAULT } [, ...] ) Which I thought might be applicable. but still googling for sample implementation. Thanks for any guidance in this method or better methods to update the base tables. Regards Dave Day