Two words: Problem Definition

From what little information you have provided I would say that you have more control over the formatting and MySQL nor Perl has anything to do with it.

Have you thought of storing markup with your text into the database?

Peter @ Berghold . Net

Sieze the cow! Bite the day!

Test the code? We don't need to test no stinkin' code! All code posted here is as is where is unless otherwise stated.

Brewer of Belgian style Ales