I have a form to enter two date values into db. One of the date fields is optional.

How can I write an insert statement that allows an empty string or null value for courseDate2?

dim courseNumber as integer=dgCourseList.datakeys(e.item.itemindex)
dim courseDate as date=ctype(e.item.findcontrol("courseDate"),textbo x).text
dim courseDate2 as date=ctype(e.item.findcontrol("courseDate2"),textb ox).text

ourCommand= new odbccommand("UPDATE coursesInd SET courseDate='" & courseDate & "', courseDate2='" & courseDate2 & "' WHERE courseNumber="&courseNumber, ourConnection)

thanks in advance

I this code already inserts an empty string, right? Or do you get an error right now?

Otherwise, you need to do some If Then logic to determine the length of the text field. If the length is 0, then inset Null (without single quotes) instead of 'YourValue'.

Cheers,

Imar