asp problrm with select (1 reply)

Hello,
when I use the following code:
rsOpenStr = "select * from inventory where instr(description," & kwStr &")>0"
rs.Open (rsOpenStr)

if I enter a number in the text box -- 1972 for example, the select statement executes.
If I enter a string -- birds for example, I get the following error:
Unknown column 'birds' in 'where clause'.
If I replace kwStr in the instr function with 'birds' the select statement executes.

Can anyone help please?