Checking out a bug in my code I find in my table definition: CREATE TABLE publications ( ... name character varying(60) NOT NULL, ... ); while in the function I use to populate the web page, which amalgamates info from several sources, I have: CREATE TYPE npc_page_details_type AS ( ... instance_name character varying(40), ... ); (where instances inherits name from publications). In other words, I changed one definition and forgot to change the other. I've been looking to see if postgresql allows type definitions like the ones I'm used to from Oracle, where I can say: CREATE TYPE npc_page_details_type AS ( ... instance_name instances.name%type, ... ); and it will pick up the current type of instances.name when the user type gets compiled. However I haven't been able to find anything. Is anything like that available? Or should I just update my definitions and grit my teeth and carry on? Cheers, G. ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- TIP 6: explain analyze is your friend