Thanks--this works fine. --Barton ________________________________________ I *think* this is just a unix-style quote-doubling issue. This works for me (maxima 5.17.1, SBCL ): (%i3) print( printf(false,"~5,2f~t & ~5,2f \\\\", 1.1, 2.2) ); 1.10 & 2.20 \\ (%o3) 1.10 & 2.20 \\ (%i4) Note the "\\\\" at (%i3). -- Bill Wood