that was exactly what i needed dash2; the first answer i mean (:
as you can likely tell, i've never touched javascript before... and it was desperation that moved me to ask about JS on here. (i'd just figured, well, you know. if perl monks/saints/wizards didn't know, no one would.)
i was just told to yesterday to kludge (er, innovate... (: ) a workaround for a client. but if it works, it works, at least until i can get my grubby little hands on their perl shopping cart thingie, and make it good.
thanks everyone, especially for the speedy replies

strfry