Well...I can't add a table to the database, because this is just one part of a much bigger project, and changing the database isn't an option. Basically, im importing questions for a test, importing just one file works fine. But when i go to import another, it will name the ?'s the same, although they still have their own id's in the database, but the name they show is the same. There is a file called import.php which calls format.php, and im working inside format.php. format.php formats the questions to work on the new system, then returns them back to import.php, then they are entered into the database. But i have tried declaring the global variable in both files, but as both are called new each time i try to import a new set of questions the value is reset. this is the code im using to name the questions..... global $globalvar; $str="Question"; $question->name=$str . $globalVar; $globalVar=$globalVar+1; which works just fine. This is in like 5 different functions, each of which is a different question type, just need to know if the variable could stay unchanged the next time the same php file is called