I run this: select coalesce(a.n,0) as a, coalesce(b.n,0) as b, coalesce(a.s,b.s) as s from ( select 1 as n, 0 as s) a full outer join ( select 2 as n, 1 as s) b on a.s = b.s ... and get this: a | b | s ---+---+--- 1 | 0 | 0 0 | 2 | 1 (2 rows) Perfect! Now, I try to extend my understanding to 3 subselects: select coalesce(a.n,0) as a, coalesce(b.n,0) as b, coalesce(c.n,0) as c, coalesce(a.s,b.s,c.s) as s from ( select 1 as n, 0 as s) a full outer join ( select 1 as n, 1 as s) b full outer join ( select 2 as n, 2 as s) c on a.s = b.s and b.s = c.s .... and get a syntax error at the end of my query. Apparently what I'm trying to do doesn't make sense? Oh, this is on version 7.4, if that makes a difference. --- Ben Chobot Senior Technical Specialist, Washington Mutual 206-461-4005 ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- TIP 6: Have you searched our list archives? http://archives.postgresql.org