The whole DataList control (ascx file) is enclosed in an UpdatePanel in the parent control - and I am having the problem that I already mentioned. Do you mean that I need to use an ashx handler? If so, any ideas how I might go about writing that? thanks, Dave

Sorry I can't figure out how to post html on here, still hope to get some feedback on my problem

What container are you using? You only mentioned the Literal control, but that doesn't produce any html code at all for itself. --- single minded; short sighted; long gone;

Here's quite a good article on the subject (skip down to the step-by-step bit) http://www.ondotnet.com/pub/a/dotnet/2002/04/15/events.html[^] Me: Can you see the "up" arrow? User:Errr...ummm....no. Me: Can you see an arrow that points upwards? User: Oh yes, I see it now! -Excerpt from a support call taken by me, 08/31/2007