diff --git a/bench/test_results/bn_axis_vs.gif b/bench/test_results/bn_axis_vs.gif
index 4cc5f01c0..e90f92887 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/bn_axis_vs.gif and b/bench/test_results/bn_axis_vs.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/bn_contour_conset.gif b/bench/test_results/bn_contour_conset.gif
index a0584f3dd..26e4215e6 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/bn_contour_conset.gif and b/bench/test_results/bn_contour_conset.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/bn_hovmuller_overlays.gif b/bench/test_results/bn_hovmuller_overlays.gif
index 772e45138..95d0cb724 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/bn_hovmuller_overlays.gif and b/bench/test_results/bn_hovmuller_overlays.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/bn_labels_on_taxis.gif b/bench/test_results/bn_labels_on_taxis.gif
index 657537d2b..6dbed5230 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/bn_labels_on_taxis.gif and b/bench/test_results/bn_labels_on_taxis.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/bn_ribbon_vlog.gif b/bench/test_results/bn_ribbon_vlog.gif
index b2d358037..b5a1c82a3 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/bn_ribbon_vlog.gif and b/bench/test_results/bn_ribbon_vlog.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/bn_subspan_mod_strides.gif b/bench/test_results/bn_subspan_mod_strides.gif
index 96bff41b0..ba3c949d4 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/bn_subspan_mod_strides.gif and b/bench/test_results/bn_subspan_mod_strides.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/bn_vs_const_value.gif b/bench/test_results/bn_vs_const_value.gif
index da8c35ef9..4efb96e7f 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/bn_vs_const_value.gif and b/bench/test_results/bn_vs_const_value.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/bnplot_2.gif b/bench/test_results/bnplot_2.gif
index ca7907181..4ad3162ef 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/bnplot_2.gif and b/bench/test_results/bnplot_2.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/bnplot_3.gif b/bench/test_results/bnplot_3.gif
index 17fcbc155..3dad471b9 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/bnplot_3.gif and b/bench/test_results/bnplot_3.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/ferret_run_tests_err b/bench/test_results/ferret_run_tests_err
index 8fe9d8d33..ee2160b8f 100644
--- a/bench/test_results/ferret_run_tests_err
+++ b/bench/test_results/ferret_run_tests_err
@@ -5269,6 +5269,9 @@ ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
 ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
  PERMANENT data cleared from memory
  TEMPORARY data cleared from memory
+ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
+ PERMANENT data cleared from memory
+ TEMPORARY data cleared from memory
 ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
 *** Running ferret script: bn_tseries_modulo.jnl
 *** Running ferret script: bn_huge_axis.jnl
diff --git a/bench/test_results/ferret_run_tests_log b/bench/test_results/ferret_run_tests_log
index 776a68c25..c74099dde 100644
--- a/bench/test_results/ferret_run_tests_log
+++ b/bench/test_results/ferret_run_tests_log
@@ -10507,7 +10507,7 @@ show symbols/all
 PPL$XPIXEL = "0"
 PPL$YPIXEL = "0"
 BYTEORDER = "LITTLE"
-FERRET_VERSION = "7.22"
+FERRET_VERSION = "7.3"
 FERRET_PLATFORM = "Linux 3.10.0-693.5.2.el7.x86_64 64-bit"
 FERRET_PRECISION = "double"
 NETCDF_VERSION = "4.4.1.1 of Jun 27 2017 09:17:01 $"
@@ -10539,7 +10539,7 @@ show symbol/all
 PPL$XPIXEL = "0"
 PPL$YPIXEL = "0"
 BYTEORDER = "LITTLE"
-FERRET_VERSION = "7.22"
+FERRET_VERSION = "7.3"
 FERRET_PLATFORM = "Linux 3.10.0-693.5.2.el7.x86_64 64-bit"
 FERRET_PRECISION = "double"
 NETCDF_VERSION = "4.4.1.1 of Jun 27 2017 09:17:01 $"
@@ -10717,7 +10717,7 @@ show symbols/all
 PPL$XPIXEL = "0"
 PPL$YPIXEL = "0"
 BYTEORDER = "LITTLE"
-FERRET_VERSION = "7.22"
+FERRET_VERSION = "7.3"
 FERRET_PLATFORM = "Linux 3.10.0-693.5.2.el7.x86_64 64-bit"
 FERRET_PRECISION = "double"
 NETCDF_VERSION = "4.4.1.1 of Jun 27 2017 09:17:01 $"
@@ -48481,7 +48481,7 @@ list element_index_str_n (axy[k=1:2,j=1:2], {"a10", "a2", "d4", "c5"})
  
 ! ferret version
 sh sym FERRET_VERSION
-FERRET_VERSION = "7.22"
+FERRET_VERSION = "7.3"
  
 ! history attribute
 let a = 12
@@ -48499,7 +48499,7 @@ LAB1 = "X : 0.5 to 314.5"
  
 ! show commands without an argument, lists version number at the top
 sho command
- Commands in Program FERRET  version7.22:
+ Commands in Program FERRET  version7.3:
  SET
  SET WINDOW/SIZE/NEW/LOCATION/ASPECT/CLEAR/TITLE
  SET REGION/I/J/K/L/M/N/X/Y/Z/T/E/F/DX/DY/DZ/DT/DE/DF/DI/DJ/DK/DL/DM/DN
@@ -53105,7 +53105,7 @@ sho dat/att
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (PSXT91_108)           DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -53154,7 +53154,7 @@ sho dat/att
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (PSXT91_108)           DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -53386,7 +53386,7 @@ stat rose[j=12,d=1]
 !            unrelated axes already defined, which get in the way of
 !            seeing the desired output.
  
-set mode ignore_error
+!set mode ignore_error
  
 !..............1. ignore STRIDE = 1
 use coads_climatology
@@ -53425,6 +53425,7 @@ show axis `sst,return=xaxis`
  (AX###)   LONGITUDE           90mr   23E                  19E(379)
    Axis span (to cell edges) = 360 (modulo length = axis span)
 !can't stride it again
+set mode ignore_error
 set axis/stride=2/offset=1 `sst, return=xaxis`
  !-> set axis/stride=2/offset=1 (AX###)
 show axis `sst,return=xaxis`
@@ -53432,6 +53433,7 @@ show axis `sst,return=xaxis`
  name       axis              # pts   start                end
  (AX###)   LONGITUDE           90mr   23E                  19E(379)
    Axis span (to cell edges) = 360 (modulo length = axis span)
+set mode/last ignore
 cancel data/all
  
 !..............3. only set STRIDE
@@ -53511,15 +53513,20 @@ show axis `sst,return=xaxis`
  name       axis              # pts   start                end
  COADSX    LONGITUDE          180mr   21E                  19E(379)
    Axis span (to cell edges) = 360 (modulo length = axis span)
+ 
+set mode ignore
 cancel axis/stride `sst,return=xaxis`
  !-> cancel axis/stride COADSX
+set mode/last ignore
 cancel data/all
  
  
 !.............5. OFFSET .LE. STRIDE
 use coads_climatology
+set mode ignore
 set axis/stride=2/offset=4 `sst, return=xaxis`
  !-> set axis/stride=2/offset=4 COADSX
+set mode/last ignore
 cancel data/all
  
 !.............6. SHOW GRID/DYNAMIC
@@ -53535,8 +53542,11 @@ cancel data/all
  
 !.............7. cancel stride on a non-strided axis
 use coads_climatology
+set mode ignore
 cancel axis/stride `sst,return=xaxis`
  !-> cancel axis/stride COADSX
+set mode/last ignore
+ 
 cancel data/all
  
 !.............8. striding on a modulo axis
@@ -53716,6 +53726,7 @@ list/x=180/l=5 sst[j=1:30]
  85S   /  3:   ....
  87S   /  2:   ....
  89S   /  1:   ....
+ 
 set axis/stride=5/offset=3 `sst,return=yaxis`
  !-> set axis/stride=5/offset=3 COADSY
 list/x=180/l=5  sst
@@ -61642,11 +61653,11 @@ save/file=nc4_deflate4_defaultchunk.nc/clobber/ncformat=4/deflate/shuffle sst
 sp stat nc4_nodeflate3.nc --printf="Bytes: %s\n"
 Bytes: 197508
 sp stat nc4_deflate4bigchunk.nc --printf="Bytes: %s\n"
-Bytes: 125621
+Bytes: 125620
 sp stat nc4_deflate4_xyt.nc --printf="Bytes: %s\n"
-Bytes: 125235
+Bytes: 125234
 sp stat nc4_deflate4_defaultchunk.nc --printf="Bytes: %s\n"
-Bytes: 119300
+Bytes: 119299
  
 ! Write variable as INT
 CAN DAT/all; can var/all; can mem/all
@@ -61663,9 +61674,9 @@ save/clobber/shuffle=1/file=nc4_inttemp_shuffle_set_list_deflate_chunk.nc temp
 sp stat nc4_inttemp_classic.nc --printf="Bytes: %s\n"
 Bytes: 60548
 sp stat nc4_inttemp_set_list_deflate_chunk.nc --printf="Bytes: %s\n"
-Bytes: 32889
+Bytes: 32888
 sp stat nc4_inttemp_shuffle_set_list_deflate_chunk.nc --printf="Bytes: %s\n"
-Bytes: 33104
+Bytes: 33103
  
 cancel list/all
 set list/ncformat=classic
@@ -62819,7 +62830,7 @@ list contents
              VARIABLE : { SPAWN:"cat redirect_journal.txt" }
              SUBSET   : 45 points (X)
  1    /  1:" ! NOAA/PMEL TMAP"                                                          
- 2    /  2:" ! FERRET v7.22 (beta/debug)"                                               
+ 2    /  2:" ! FERRET v7.3 (beta/debug)"                                                
  3    /  3:" ! Linux 3.10.0-693.5.2.el7.x86_64 64-bit - MM-DD-YY"                       
  4    /  4:" ! DD-MON-YY HH:MM     "                                                    
  5    /  5:""                                                                           
@@ -70810,7 +70821,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -70868,7 +70879,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -70916,7 +70927,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -70964,7 +70975,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -71004,7 +71015,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -71045,7 +71056,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -71115,7 +71126,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -71168,7 +71179,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -71232,7 +71243,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -71276,7 +71287,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -71320,7 +71331,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -71364,7 +71375,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -71405,7 +71416,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -71636,7 +71647,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        FLOAT     units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -71677,7 +71688,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        FLOAT     units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -71728,7 +71739,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (COADSX140_140)        DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -71776,7 +71787,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (MYHOURS1)             DOUBLE    units           CHAR        31   T       hours since 1901-01-15 00:00:00
@@ -71802,7 +71813,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (MYHOURS1)             INT       units           CHAR        31   T       hours since 1901-01-15 00:00:00
@@ -71828,7 +71839,7 @@ use mytype.nc; sh dat/att mytype.nc; can data mytype
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (MYHOURS1)             DOUBLE    units           CHAR        31   T       hours since 1901-01-15 00:00:00
@@ -72268,7 +72279,7 @@ variables:
 		A:history = "From coads_climatology" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -72297,7 +72308,7 @@ variables:
 		E410:history = "From coads_climatology" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -72348,7 +72359,7 @@ variables:
 		E410:history = "From coads_climatology" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -72925,7 +72936,7 @@ variables:
 
 // global attributes:
 		:history = "WKD MON DD HH:MM:SS YYYY: ncks -h -A -h z1.nc append_to_this.nc\n",
-			"FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+			"FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 		:NCO = "4.4.4" ;
 }
@@ -72956,7 +72967,7 @@ variables:
 		AVAR:long_name = "X[GX=XIRREG]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -72987,7 +72998,7 @@ variables:
 		AVAR:long_name = "X[GX=XIRREG]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -73050,7 +73061,7 @@ variables:
 		A:history = "From coads" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -73078,7 +73089,7 @@ variables:
 		A:history = "From coads" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -74785,7 +74796,7 @@ variables:
 		LABELS:history = "From http://dunkel.pmel.noaa.gov:8930/thredds/dodsC/data/atmos3.ncml" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -74808,7 +74819,7 @@ variables:
 		STRVAR:long_name = "mystrings" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -75027,7 +75038,7 @@ variables:
 		B:history = "From b" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -75057,7 +75068,7 @@ variables:
 		A:history = "From a" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -75078,7 +75089,7 @@ variables:
 		B:history = "From b" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -75099,7 +75110,7 @@ variables:
 		B:history = "From b" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -75121,7 +75132,7 @@ variables:
 		B:history = "From b" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -75534,7 +75545,7 @@ sh dat/att
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (x_in_meters)          DOUBLE    units           CHAR        6    T       meters
@@ -75551,7 +75562,7 @@ sh dat/att
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (x_in_meters)          DOUBLE    units           CHAR        6    T       meters
@@ -75568,7 +75579,7 @@ sh dat/att
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (x_in_meters)          DOUBLE    units           CHAR        6    T       meters
@@ -76809,7 +76820,7 @@ variables:
 		:geospatial_lat_max = 29.07 ;
 		:time_coverage_start = "2006-06-10T23:48:00Z" ;
 		:time_converage_end = "2006-06-11T00:12:00Z" ;
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 }
  
 set mode/last upcase
@@ -76902,7 +76913,7 @@ variables:
 		lon360:history = "added to test_save_dsg.nc" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "CruiseDsgNcFile 1.0FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "CruiseDsgNcFile 1.0FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:featureType = "Trajectory" ;
 		:Conventions = "Some other conventionsCF-1.6" ;
 		:geospatial_lon_min = -92.77 ;
@@ -76929,7 +76940,7 @@ can dat/all; use anew_global.nc
 sh att .
      attributes for dataset: ./anew_global.nc
  ..history = Subset of etopo20,
- FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY 
+ FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY 
  ..Conventions = Existing conventions note, , CF-1.6 
  
  
@@ -76959,7 +76970,7 @@ can dat/all; use conventions_history
 ! The new attibutes
 sh att .
      attributes for dataset: ./conventions_history.nc
- ..history = The history of the fileFERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY 
+ ..history = The history of the fileFERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY 
  ..Conventions = Conventions for variables named V2CF-1.6 
 *** Running ferret script: bn_center_key_labels.jnl
 ! bn_center_key_labels
@@ -85683,7 +85694,7 @@ variables:
 		var:long_name = "0*TT + X[GX=XAX]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -86585,7 +86596,7 @@ variables:
 		TEMP:history = "From /home/data/socat/socatV3/11SS/11SS20140225.nc" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -91379,7 +91390,7 @@ SHOW DATA/ATT t_f04_e3_1v ! note atts im_everwhere vs im_not_everwhere
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (XAX)                  DOUBLE    units           CHAR        12   T       degrees_east
@@ -91863,7 +91874,7 @@ save/clobber/file=a.nc/outtype=float elev[d=1]
 use a.nc
 sh att .
      attributes for dataset: ./a.nc
- ..history = FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY 
+ ..history = FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY 
  ..Conventions = CF-1.6 
  ..dt_internal = 15
 sh att elev
@@ -91884,7 +91895,7 @@ save/clobber/file=a.nc/outtype=float elev[d=1]
 use a.nc
 sh att .
      attributes for dataset: ./a.nc
- ..history = FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY 
+ ..history = FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY 
  ..Conventions = CF-1.6 
 sh att elev
      attributes for dataset: ./a.nc
@@ -94017,7 +94028,7 @@ sho command/brief v
  
 ! All the commands, no subcommands, no qualifiers
 SHOW COMMAND/BRIEF
- Commands in Program FERRET  version7.22:
+ Commands in Program FERRET  version7.3:
  SET
  SHOW
  CANCEL
@@ -95707,7 +95718,7 @@ variables:
 		VAR:long_name = "X[GX=XLON]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 go bn_reset
@@ -95766,7 +95777,7 @@ variables:
 		VAR:history = "From a1" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -95813,7 +95824,7 @@ variables:
 		VAR:history = "From a1" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -96963,7 +96974,7 @@ variables:
 		abc:history = "From abc.dat" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -97050,7 +97061,7 @@ variables:
 		latitude:history = "From bn_delimited_read_1.dat" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -97739,7 +97750,7 @@ sh dat/att
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (TAXIS1)               DOUBLE    axis            CHAR        1    T       T
@@ -97808,7 +97819,7 @@ sh dat/att
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (TAXIS1)               DOUBLE    axis            CHAR        1    T       T
@@ -97879,7 +97890,7 @@ sh dat/att
  Variable    VarType(in dset)    AttributeName   AttType     Size OutFlag AttValue
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
- .                               history         CHAR        23   T       FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY
+ .                               history         CHAR        22   T       FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY
                                  Conventions     CHAR        6    F       CF-1.6
   
 (TAXIS1)               DOUBLE    axis            CHAR        1    T       T
@@ -98288,7 +98299,7 @@ variables:
 		VART:long_name = "RESHAPE(VAR, T[GT=TAX])" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -98695,7 +98706,7 @@ variables:
 		uave:history = "From 6dfile" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -98745,7 +98756,7 @@ variables:
 		uave:history = "From 6dfile" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -98792,7 +98803,7 @@ variables:
 		uave:history = "From 6dfile" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -98948,7 +98959,7 @@ variables:
 		BIN:history = "From shorttest.dat" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
  
@@ -103209,11 +103220,11 @@ ppl list labels
                                                                                 
 
           XPOS       YPOS     HGT   ROT   UNITS
- LAB 1  8.000E+00  7.200E+00 0.060    0  SYSTEM  @ASFERRET  Ver.7.22
+ LAB 1  8.000E+00  7.200E+00 0.060    0  SYSTEM  @ASFERRET  Ver.7.3
  LINE PT:    0.000E+00 0.000E+00  NO LINE     CENTER JUSTIFY LABEL
  LAB 2  8.000E+00  7.100E+00 0.060    0  SYSTEM  @ASNOAA/PMEL TMAP
  LINE PT:    0.000E+00 0.000E+00  NO LINE     CENTER JUSTIFY LABEL
- LAB 3  8.000E+00  7.000E+00 0.060    0  SYSTEM  @ASDD-MON-YYYY HH:MM:SS
+ LAB 3  8.000E+00  7.000E+00 0.060    0  SYSTEM  @AS0DD-MON-YYYY HH:MM:SS
  LINE PT:    0.000E+00 0.000E+00  NO LINE     CENTER JUSTIFY LABEL
  LAB 4  8.000E+00  6.630E+00 0.120    0  SYSTEM  @ASDATA SET: err721_dup_labels
  LINE PT:    0.000E+00 0.000E+00  NO LINE     RIGHT  JUSTIFY LABEL
@@ -103376,6 +103387,124 @@ set grid abstract
 can grid xtgrid
 can axis xaxis
 can axis taxis_dc
+ 
+GO bn_reset
+cancel mode verify
+ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
+GO err721_stride_size
+! err721_stride_size.jnl
+! SHOW DATA and RETURN=isize were
+! not updated with new size on a SET AXIS/STRIDE
+! *ACM* 11/29/2017 github issue 1843
+ 
+use coads_climatology
+set axis/stride=5 `sst,return=xaxis`
+ !-> set axis/stride=5 COADSX
+ 
+! Should show new size for x axis
+show grid sst
+    GRID GSQ1
+ name       axis              # pts   start                end                 subset
+ (AX###)   LONGITUDE           36mr   21E                  11E(371)            full
+ COADSY    LATITUDE            90 r   89S                  89N                 full
+ normal    Z
+ TIME      TIME                 3mr   16-JAN 06:00         17-MAR 02:58        full
+say `sst,return=isize`
+ !-> MESSAGE/CONTINUE 36
+36
+ 
+! Restore axis, back to size 180
+cancel axis/stride `sst,return=xaxis`
+ !-> cancel axis/stride (AX###)
+show grid sst
+    GRID GSQ1
+ name       axis              # pts   start                end                 subset
+ COADSX    LONGITUDE          180mr   21E                  19E(379)            full
+ COADSY    LATITUDE            90 r   89S                  89N                 full
+ normal    Z
+ TIME      TIME                 3mr   16-JAN 06:00         17-MAR 02:58        full
+say `sst,return=isize`
+ !-> MESSAGE/CONTINUE 180
+180
+ 
+! Irregular axis
+ 
+USE truemonth.nc
+say `var,return=lsize`
+ !-> MESSAGE/CONTINUE 239
+239
+SET AXIS/STRIDE=12/OFFSET=0 `var,return=taxis`  ! every January
+ !-> SET AXIS/STRIDE=12/OFFSET=0 TRUEMONTH
+LIST var
+             VARIABLE : COS(T[GT=TRUEMONTH]/100)
+             FILENAME : truemonth.nc
+             SUBSET   : 20 points (TIME)
+ 16-JAN-1950 /  1:  0.8459
+ 16-JAN-1951 /  2: -0.4792
+ 16-JAN-1952 /  3: -0.0086
+ 16-JAN-1953 /  4:  0.5030
+ 16-JAN-1954 /  5: -0.8601
+ 16-JAN-1955 /  6:  0.9996
+ 16-JAN-1956 /  7: -0.8863
+ 16-JAN-1957 /  8:  0.5404
+ 16-JAN-1958 /  9: -0.0625
+ 16-JAN-1959 / 10: -0.4313
+ 16-JAN-1960 / 11:  0.8159
+ 16-JAN-1961 / 12: -0.9952
+ 16-JAN-1962 / 13:  0.9170
+ 16-JAN-1963 / 14: -0.6068
+ 16-JAN-1964 / 15:  0.1432
+ 16-JAN-1965 / 16:  0.3660
+ 16-JAN-1966 / 17: -0.7727
+ 16-JAN-1967 / 18:  0.9840
+ 16-JAN-1968 / 19: -0.9463
+ 16-JAN-1969 / 20:  0.6618
+say `var,return=lsize`
+ !-> MESSAGE/CONTINUE 20
+20
+ 
+can axis/stride `var,return=taxis`
+ !-> can axis/stride (AX###)
+sh grid var
+    GRID GRZ1
+ name       axis              # pts   start                end                 subset
+ normal    X
+ normal    Y
+ normal    Z
+ TRUEMONTH TIME               239 i   16-JAN-1950 12:00    16-NOV-1969 00:00   full
+SET AXIS/STRIDE=12/OFFSET=2 `var,return=taxis`  ! every March
+ !-> SET AXIS/STRIDE=12/OFFSET=2 TRUEMONTH
+say `var,return=lsize`
+ !-> MESSAGE/CONTINUE 22
+22
+list var
+             VARIABLE : COS(T[GT=TRUEMONTH]/100)
+             FILENAME : truemonth.nc
+             SUBSET   : 20 points (TIME)
+ 16-MAR-1950 /  1:  0.4061
+ 16-MAR-1951 /  2:  0.0901
+ 16-MAR-1952 /  3: -0.5718
+ 16-MAR-1953 /  4:  0.8988
+ 16-MAR-1954 /  5: -0.9985
+ 16-MAR-1955 /  6:  0.8456
+ 16-MAR-1956 /  7: -0.4700
+ 16-MAR-1957 /  8: -0.0191
+ 16-MAR-1958 /  9:  0.5034
+ 16-MAR-1959 / 10: -0.8603
+ 16-MAR-1960 / 11:  0.9999
+ 16-MAR-1961 / 12: -0.8814
+ 16-MAR-1962 / 13:  0.5400
+ 16-MAR-1963 / 14: -0.0620
+ 16-MAR-1964 / 15: -0.4407
+ 16-MAR-1965 / 16:  0.8219
+ 16-MAR-1966 / 17: -0.9952
+ 16-MAR-1967 / 18:  0.9168
+ 16-MAR-1968 / 19: -0.5985
+ 16-MAR-1969 / 20:  0.1328
+say `var,return=lsize`
+ !-> MESSAGE/CONTINUE 22
+22
+ 
 *** Running ferret script: bn_tseries_modulo.jnl
 ! bn_tseries_modulo.jnl
 !  9/2017 TSERIES aggregations
@@ -103558,7 +103687,7 @@ sp ncdump -h a.nc
 netcdf a {
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 		:my_extra_attribute = "Extra attribute: This file is just attributes to start with" ;
 }
@@ -103601,7 +103730,7 @@ variables:
 		SST:units = "Deg C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 		:my_extra_attribute = "Extra attribute: Adding to a file with existing data and attributes" ;
 }
@@ -103642,7 +103771,7 @@ variables:
 		SST:units = "Deg C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 		:my_extra_attribute = "Extra attribute: Adding to a file with existing data and attributes" ;
 		:MAIZE_YIELD = 0.05408529f, 0.1875f, -0.04314715f, 9.96921e+36f ;
@@ -103684,7 +103813,7 @@ variables:
 		SST:units = "Deg C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 		:my_extra_attribute = "Extra attribute: Adding to a file with existing data and attributes" ;
 		:MAIZE_YIELD = 0.02854787f, 0.02296161f, 0.02589183f, 0.01891576f ;
@@ -103725,7 +103854,7 @@ variables:
 		SST:units = "Deg C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 		:my_extra_attribute = "Extra attribute: Adding to a file with existing data and attributes" ;
 		:MAIZE_YIELD = 0.02854787f, 0.02296161f, 0.02589183f, 0.01891576f ;
@@ -105347,7 +105476,7 @@ exit/command
 PPL$XPIXEL = "0"
 PPL$YPIXEL = "0"
 BYTEORDER = "LITTLE"
-FERRET_VERSION = "7.22"
+FERRET_VERSION = "7.3"
 FERRET_PLATFORM = "Linux 3.10.0-693.5.2.el7.x86_64 64-bit"
 FERRET_PRECISION = "double"
 NETCDF_VERSION = "4.4.1.1 of Jun 27 2017 09:17:01 $"
diff --git a/bench/test_results/ferret_run_tests_ncdump b/bench/test_results/ferret_run_tests_ncdump
index 202e70012..c09d67358 100644
--- a/bench/test_results/ferret_run_tests_ncdump
+++ b/bench/test_results/ferret_run_tests_ncdump
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ variables:
 		MY_VAR:long_name = "T[GT=T5]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ variables:
 		MY_VAR:long_name = "T[GT=T5]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ variables:
 		B:long_name = "\"one line of text\"" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ variables:
 		D:history = "From test_string" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ variables:
 		B:long_name = "SAMPLEJ(YSEQUENCE({\"a\",\"b\",,\"d\",\"e\",\"f\"}),{2,,1})" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ variables:
 		V:long_name = "T[GT=MONTH_IRREG]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ variables:
 		V:history = "From coads_vwnd" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ variables:
 		V:history = "From coads_vwnd" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ variables:
 		T2:long_name = "Z[GZ=ZIRR]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -474,7 +474,7 @@ variables:
 		V:history = "From coads_climatology" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -568,7 +568,7 @@ variables:
 		SST:units = "Deg C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -638,7 +638,7 @@ variables:
 		SST:units = "Deg C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -689,7 +689,7 @@ variables:
 		V:long_name = "X[GX=XAX] +Z[GZ=ZAX] + T[GT=TAX]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -780,7 +780,7 @@ variables:
 		A:long_name = "T[GT=TIME]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -807,7 +807,7 @@ variables:
 		X_:long_name_mod = "axis ABSTRACT" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 		:title = "a long title longer than 80 characters a123456789b123456789c123456789d123456789e123456789f123456789g123456789h123456789" ;
 data:
@@ -831,7 +831,7 @@ variables:
 		A:history = "From x" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 		:title = "a long title, longer than the previous limit of 80 characters.  Previously various buffers were set to 80, and storage in ds_title was also too short." ;
 data:
@@ -858,14 +858,14 @@ variables:
 		A:history = "From t0_cdc" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 *** Running ferret script: bn_tab_comma_multivar.jnl
 *** Running ferret script: bn_element_functions.jnl
 *** Running ferret script: bn_long_revision_num.jnl
 bn_long_revision_num.jnl --- history attribute
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 *** Running ferret script: bn_window_title.jnl
 *** Running ferret script: bn_last_error.jnl
 *** Running ferret script: bn_deg_min.jnl
@@ -901,7 +901,7 @@ variables:
 		V:long_name = "X[GX=XAX] +Z[GZ=ZAX] + T[GT=TAX]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -974,7 +974,7 @@ variables:
 		VAR_B:long_name = "my strings" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1018,7 +1018,7 @@ variables:
 		SST:units = "Deg C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1060,7 +1060,7 @@ variables:
 		SST:units = "Deg C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1168,7 +1168,7 @@ variables:
 		ELEV:history = "From err491_attval" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 bn_attributes.jnl --- 6 after CANCEL MODE upcase_output
@@ -1209,7 +1209,7 @@ variables:
 		Elev:history = "From err491_attval" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 bn_attributes.jnl --- 7 outtput flags to control attribute output
@@ -1232,7 +1232,7 @@ variables:
 		BB:another_attr = 6.f ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1258,7 +1258,7 @@ variables:
 		BB:another_attr = 6.f ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1278,7 +1278,7 @@ variables:
 		BB:long_name = "{3,4.5,6,7,4}" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1299,7 +1299,7 @@ variables:
 		BB:long_name = "{3,4.5,6,7,4}" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1342,7 +1342,7 @@ variables:
 		TEMP:units = "Deg C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 bn_attributes.jnl --- 12 Check that settings hold for child axis.
@@ -1382,7 +1382,7 @@ variables:
 		TEMP:units = "Deg C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 bn_attributes.jnl --- 13 cancel output of attributes of the variable.
@@ -1420,7 +1420,7 @@ variables:
 		TEMP:units = "Deg C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 bn_attributes.jnl --- 14 attributes of data from ez data.
@@ -1449,7 +1449,7 @@ variables:
 		A3:history = "From EZ.DAT" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1482,7 +1482,7 @@ variables:
 		V4:history = "From EZ.DAT" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1508,7 +1508,7 @@ variables:
 		A:four = "theory" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1554,7 +1554,7 @@ variables:
 		ELEV:history = "From err491_attval" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 		:simulation = "K-Bay OAR3d model (200m)" ;
 		:start_date = "980105000000" ;
@@ -1661,7 +1661,7 @@ variables:
 		TEMP:units = "deg. C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 		:dt_internal = 15. ;
 }
@@ -1703,7 +1703,7 @@ variables:
 		ELEV:history = "From err491_attval" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1786,7 +1786,7 @@ variables:
 		RIGUE:history = "From test0" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1823,7 +1823,7 @@ variables:
 		B:long_name = "hello" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1863,7 +1863,7 @@ variables:
 		VWND:units = "M/S" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1914,7 +1914,7 @@ variables:
 		T2:history = "From coads_vwnd" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -1973,7 +1973,7 @@ variables:
 		T2:history = "From gt4d011" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 netcdf a {
@@ -2018,7 +2018,7 @@ variables:
 		T2:history = "From gt4d011" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 netcdf a {
@@ -2061,7 +2061,7 @@ variables:
 		T2:history = "From gt4d011" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 netcdf a {
@@ -2096,7 +2096,7 @@ variables:
 		TEMP:units = "DEG C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 netcdf a {
@@ -2130,7 +2130,7 @@ variables:
 		TWO:history = "From levitus_climatology" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 bn_attributes.jnl --- 27 attributes of  user-defined axes
@@ -2160,7 +2160,7 @@ variables:
 		AXY:long_name = "RESHAPE (A,RVAR)" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 bn_attributes.jnl --- 28 Define a new global attribute
@@ -2189,7 +2189,7 @@ variables:
 		BROILED:history = "From test0" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 		:glob = "Global attribute" ;
 		:FERRET_comment = "File written via LAS. Attributes are inherited from originating dataset" ;
@@ -2250,7 +2250,7 @@ variables:
 		FAREN:history = "From gt4d011" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 netcdf a {
@@ -2295,7 +2295,7 @@ variables:
 		FAREN:history = "From gt4d011" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 *** Running ferret script: bn_transforms.jnl
@@ -2336,7 +2336,7 @@ variables:
 		A:long_name = "X[GX=XAX]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -2366,7 +2366,7 @@ variables:
 		A:long_name = "X[GX=XAX]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -2396,7 +2396,7 @@ variables:
 		A:long_name = "X[GX=XAX]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -2449,7 +2449,7 @@ variables:
 		TEMP:units = "Deg C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 netcdf a {
@@ -2491,7 +2491,7 @@ variables:
 		TEMP:units = "Deg C" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 netcdf a {
@@ -2509,7 +2509,7 @@ variables:
 		V:long_name = "Y[GY=YAXIS]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 *** Running ferret script: bn_no_valid_on_plot.jnl
@@ -2531,7 +2531,7 @@ variables:
 		MY_ASC:history = "From dat.dat" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 netcdf a {
@@ -2549,7 +2549,7 @@ variables:
 		MY_UNF:history = "From unf.dat" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 bn_attributes.jnl --- SET VAR/OUTTYPE for user variable
@@ -2566,7 +2566,7 @@ variables:
 		A:long_name = "{1.1,2.2,3.3}" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -2587,7 +2587,7 @@ variables:
 		A:long_name = "{ 3.77, 4.00, 4.10, 4.33, 4.38, 4.27, 4.31, 4.40, 4.75, 5.01, 5.27, 5.52}" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -2658,7 +2658,7 @@ variables:
 		newvar:history = "From a" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 *** Running ferret script: bn_cdf_keepax.jnl
@@ -2687,7 +2687,7 @@ variables:
 		A:long_name = "X[GX=X100] + T[GT=T31]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 bn_keep_axisnames.jnl --- without /KEEP_AXISNAMES
@@ -2714,7 +2714,7 @@ variables:
 		A:long_name = "X[GX=X100] + T[GT=T31]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 *** Running ferret script: bn_key_label_minmax.jnl
@@ -2819,7 +2819,7 @@ variables:
 		ZUP:long_name = "Z[GZ=ZAXUP]" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 bn_axis_cf.jnl, Convert forms of DEG, degrees to degrees_east:
@@ -2851,7 +2851,7 @@ variables:
 		Y_:long_name_mod = "axis YFIFTEEN" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 bn_axis_cf.jnl, Downcase units, e.g. in time axis DAYS since
@@ -2884,7 +2884,7 @@ variables:
 		XYTVAR:history = "From bn_strides" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 *** Running ferret script: bn_repeated_coords.jnl
@@ -2961,7 +2961,7 @@ variables:
 		TIME:history = "From http://tds.climatedatacloud.com/thredds/dodsC/ensembles/nmme_gfdl/TwoD" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -2999,7 +2999,7 @@ variables:
 		time:history = "From http://tds.climatedatacloud.com/thredds/dodsC/ensembles/nmme_gfdl/TwoD" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 data:
 
@@ -3051,7 +3051,7 @@ variables:
 		MYVAR:history = "From coads_climatology" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 netcdf a {
@@ -3065,7 +3065,7 @@ variables:
 		MYVAR:history = "From levitus_climatology" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 }
 *** Running ferret script: bn_list_clim_axes.jnl
@@ -3755,7 +3755,7 @@ variables:
 		tmonth:history = "added to /home/data/socat/socatV3/492C/492C19881104.nc" ;
 
 // global attributes:
-		:history = "FERRET V7.22  DD-MON-YY" ;
+		:history = "FERRET V7.3  DD-MON-YY" ;
 		:Conventions = "CF-1.6" ;
 		:featureType = "Trajectory" ;
 		:decimation = "218 original number of obs. Piecewise decimated to 23 obs using tolerances: lon 1, lat 1, fco2_rec 4" ;
diff --git a/bench/test_results/forecast_actual.gif b/bench/test_results/forecast_actual.gif
index e7372864b..7f1f0eb31 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/forecast_actual.gif and b/bench/test_results/forecast_actual.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/forecast_diagview.gif b/bench/test_results/forecast_diagview.gif
index ca72d728e..78229c209 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/forecast_diagview.gif and b/bench/test_results/forecast_diagview.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/forecast_leadview.gif b/bench/test_results/forecast_leadview.gif
index 9a9739f22..07c8d6608 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/forecast_leadview.gif and b/bench/test_results/forecast_leadview.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/gif_dashbug.gif b/bench/test_results/gif_dashbug.gif
index eb2460e81..0b899c552 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/gif_dashbug.gif and b/bench/test_results/gif_dashbug.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/legend_1d_plots.gif b/bench/test_results/legend_1d_plots.gif
index e3ffebc9d..55d184ec5 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/legend_1d_plots.gif and b/bench/test_results/legend_1d_plots.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/lon_lat_label_controls.gif b/bench/test_results/lon_lat_label_controls.gif
index ba3e52b42..c64bb04ba 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/lon_lat_label_controls.gif and b/bench/test_results/lon_lat_label_controls.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/testbackground.gif b/bench/test_results/testbackground.gif
index 883a8f663..a26f5c597 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/testbackground.gif and b/bench/test_results/testbackground.gif differ
diff --git a/bench/test_results/vs_lon_over.gif b/bench/test_results/vs_lon_over.gif
index 862325c81..ac8ddf614 100644
Binary files a/bench/test_results/vs_lon_over.gif and b/bench/test_results/vs_lon_over.gif differ