bad: $query="select *,biblio.author,biblio.biblionumber from biblio left join additionalauthors on additionalauthors.biblionumber =biblio.biblionumber where ((biblio.author like ? or biblio.author like ? or additionalauthors.author like ? or additionalauthors.author like ? )"; good: $query="select *,biblio.author,biblio.biblionumber from biblio left join additionalauthors on (additionalauthors.biblionumber =biblio.biblionumber) where ((biblio.author like ? or biblio.author like ? or additionalauthors.author like ? or additionalauthors.author like ? )"; and now mysql 5 supported;) -- <wojciech@zatorski.net> tel. +48 509-855-239; GG: 1500861; Skype: zatorski http://www.Zatorski.Net -- "Genius always gives its best at first, prudence at last." -- Lavater, J.C.