SQL> desc atable Name Null? Type ------------------------------- -------- ---- VRNO VARCHAR2(11) DATECOLUMN DATE SQL> select max(datecolumn) from atable 2 / MAX(DATEC --------- 31-MAY-03 SQL> select max(to_date(datecolumn,'dd-mm-rrrr')) from atable 2 / MAX(TO_DA --------- 02-JUL-03 SQL> spool off