Matches asterisk (*)

Since the asterisk functions as a wild card in ambiguous searches, is there means of negating its ambiguous value. We know select * from client_table where last_name matches "SMITH*" gets us SMITH, SMITHSON, SMITHE, etc. We have a situation where users have entered an asterisk as a means to flag data. Unfortunately, they have not been consistent on the placement or the number of asterisk. select * from client_table where last_name[3,3] = "*" will get us all the records where one of the asterisks happens to be an asterisk, but it would be a little handier to say something like select * from client_table where last_name matches "*" which, of course, returns everything. Of course, we don't expect to deal with this forever, but it raises an interesting problem. Any help appreciated Thanks Con Woodall Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Computer Services cwoodall@vth.colostate.edu 970-491-1244