I always believe where there's a will there's a way. Back in our days of our Series 70, we had some detail data sets that had to be cleared out each day. On the 70, a serial read then a delete in Query was too slow. So, we used DBGENRL to clear out these data sets. This would clear the detail data sets, but the automatic master records would be untouched. To clean up the automatic masters, we would unload, erase, and load the database each weekend. I would be willing to bet that DBGENRL would probably allow me to erase the automatic master and not touch the details. If they could do it, you probably could do it. But like was said before, WHY????????? Timothy Hoefner <[log in to unmask]> wrote in message news:F4B1826B1A21D211AEC5006008207AF404377F5D@dogbert.csillc.com... My question is simple but I've got to have the correct answer so that I may or may not win an argument with our DBA. Is it possible to programmatically delete automatic masters without deleting the associated details? (I never went to image school as did others so I must go to the guru's!!!!!) Thanks Tim Hoefner El Paso Community College [log in to unmask]