> > > SELECT * from mytable WHERE myfield LIKE "%.%.%" > > > AND NOT myfield LIKE "%.%.%.%" the problem with this -- although i have not tested it myself (don't gots sql server here at home) -- is that A.B.C.D satisfies both the LIKE condition and also the NOT LIKE condition see, the percents mean "anything" %.%. matches A.B. and then the last % matches C.D right?