My Zope configuration is (from the Control Panel): Zope version: Zope 2.0.0 (binary release, python 1.5.2, win32-x86) Python version: 1.5.2 (#0, Jul 30 1999, 09:52:18) [MSC 32 bit (Intel)] System Platform: win32 Process ID:(deleted) Running for: 33 days 23 hours 25 min 40 sec I have a page that is created when a user selects his/her name from a drop down select option menu. When the submit button is pressed Zope retrieves fields from a MySQL database and for all records that this user is the responder and has not processed. Now, on the page that is rendered the user may select one record (that has a question) to reply to. Pressing the button for that record, a Zsql method retrieves the necessary fields needed to respond to this question. The form below displays the question and the answer, I also keep the record number (ID) to finish the processing. If I put the word input in front of the line that has <dtml-var answer> as shown below, I lose my columns and rows and get just one row. If I remove the word input from the beginning of that tag I get my columns and rows as defined but no text in the window on the html page although the html source still shows the text for <dtml-var answer>. I need the text to be in that box in case someone wants to append to the original answer. If the text does not show, it over writes the data in the answer field of the database. On the other hand when one row shows I can scroll to the end and append to that answer and it overwrites data in the answer field of the database but It includes the original text so, ultimately I have appended to the answer. Originally, the form method just put the answer in the answer field of the database and the send mail was done separately, now I'm trying to have it set the reply in the answer field and send the email but there are some send mail problems doing them together and I'll submit that in a separate request for help. html stuff up here <!--#in get_one_rec_by_id size=50 start=query_start--> <H5>This reply will be added to the database of all questions asked for <H3><I><font color="#FF0000">recipient <dtml-var submitter null="">.</font></I></H3> After pressing the submit button, you will see a conformation page that confirms that your message has been added to the database. If you want this question added to the frequently asked questions use the page where you view all of the questions you have not finished. </H5> <BR> Question:<dtml-var question null=""> <br> <TABLE><TR><TD> <form action="send_mail" method="get"> <input type="hidden" name="pass_id" value=<dtml-var ID null=""> size="6"> <input textarea name="pass_answer" value="<dtml-var answer>" rows="5" cols="50" wrap ="soft"> </textarea> <input type="submit" value="Set Answer"> </form> </TD></TR></TABLE> Is there a way I can have both a textarea or some other object to show the complete text of the answer field from the database. -- TIA, Thomas -------------------------------------------------------------------- Rock and Rule Zope Rocks -- http://www.zope.org Python Rules -- http://www.python.org -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas McMillan Grant Bennett Appalachian State University Computer Consultant II University Library bennettt@am.appstate.edu http://www.library.appstate.edu/webmaster/ Voice: 828 262 6587 FAX: 828 262 3001 Windows 95 is a 32-bit extension to a 16-bit patch for an 8-bit operating system that was originally coded for a 4-bit microprocessor. - Chris Dunphy Boot Magazine