normally we do this in oracle

select * from staff where name like '%John%';

then how to do in the VB???

like this also cannot...how?

SQLstmt = "SELECT * FROM staff where name like ' % " & lblname.Caption & " % '"


and can somebody help me how to show the graph when i select from the combo box and click OK button?
or any article teach this?

Since you didn't specify the DB or data entry object you're using, I'll give you generic information. The "----john-----" comes from a list box or combobox (multiple items) or a textbox (single item). Remove leading and trailing blanks from the selected string, and use the text property, not the caption property. Use of % or * wildcard depends on the DB. As for displaying graphs, you don't give enough background information to answer it. How do you generate your graphs? Do you display them in a web browser or on a standalone machine? What reporting package(s) are you using? Check MSVB Knowledgebase for information about displaying graphs.