I'd like to avoid the use $_SESSIONs for storing 'temp' values, but I need a way to get a dynamic form value through the submit process without being regenerated. Right now, here's what is happening: 1. node form is built, $temp_dir value is created. 2. content is created via an AJAX request that is indexed with the $temp_dir 3. node form is submitted (and thus, rebuilt). $temp_dir value is re-created, now diff. than previous $temp_dir 4. node insert function has 'wrong' $temp_dir value for final processing of content from step #2. The following 'works', but doesn't use the drupal FAPI. I'd like to avoid that if possible: if ($_POST['temp_dir']) { $temp_dir=$_POST['temp_dir']; } else { $temp_dir = md5(time() . $user -> id); } I know there *must* be a way to do this, as seemingly, the form token has to be generated in this fashion. Any suggestions? FWIW, due to the manner in which the content is generated, using sessions is less than desirable (I spent a few days debugging what ended up being a session race condition, and so I'd prefer to avoid them altogether at this point). Thank you for your time Rajan Agaskar.