Hmm, i get your point from a practical standpoint the method used makes little difference. But since this was the basis of the original question, i was curious to investigate further and thought it might allow for a better understanding of what underpins some of the formulas posted on sites like this one everyday and also an opportunity to look at other non-Excel specific computing topics. In any case, for better and more reliable explanations an expert like Charles Williams would be much better placed to answer this sort of thing.