note simon.proctor If I understand everything correctly then I don't think this is a fourth variant: <code> \@$choices </code> compared to <code> $choices </code> I think you need to look up array refs and pay particular attention to referencing and dereferencing. In both cases you have an array ref, however in the first you deref it only to then make it a reference again. The second doesn't do this unneccessary merry go round. <br><br> HTH. 482558 482567