If I have a text file that has the following statement: Modes???? 1 I can use sed to change 1 to 2 sed "s/Modes?? 1/Modes?? 2" < /tmp/in > /tmp/out What if I do not know if there is a 1 or a 2 or a 3.?? How can I use sed to chenge the "Mode?? X"?? to Mode?? 1"? Thanks, Chris