Derby thank you so much !!! I have used your method on quite a few of my scripts now. Your an absolute legend. Thanks again for all your help. Michael I did try the whole

$dbh->syb_date_fmt('MDY1_YYYY');
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but it just wouldn't workmaybe it was the way i was trying to include it into my script I will probably try and get it to work if i can. Thank you both for all your help