Here is the code. When I run it I don't get any error messages. I also don't get the values inserted into a record. Here is the code: <?php $itemNum = '123456789'; $title = 'test title'; $strtime = 'FEB-23-08 12:02:02'; $user="tim"; $password="supers"; $database="silver"; $db = mysql_connect(localhost,$user,$password); mysql_select_db($database,$db) or die( "Unable to select database"); $query ="INSERT INTO `silver`.`horse` SET `id` = '' , `itemNum` = '$itemNum' , `title` = 'this is y', `strDate` = '1:05' "; mysql_query($query,$db); mysql_close(); ?> When I put the value of $itemNum (123456789) in the query works and makes a new record. I have tried $itemNum without the single qoutes , '{$itemNum}' , '@$itemNum','@itemNum', without sucess. I have seen the form'$itemNum' , on the internet , but it doesn't seem to work for me. I would like to use all php variables in the sql querry. Thanks for the help.