diff --git a/ADQL.tex b/ADQL.tex
index 71eee2c..4427d54 100644
--- a/ADQL.tex
+++ b/ADQL.tex
@@ -2757,11 +2757,21 @@ \subsubsection{IN\_UNIT}
 The \verb:IN_UNIT(): function returns the value of the first argument
 transformed into the unit defined by the second argument.
 
-The first argument MUST be a numeric value expression.
+The first argument MUST be a numeric value expression. If this argument is a
+column name, the VOUnits for this column ought to be found in the metadata
+attached to this column (e.g. \verb|TAP_SCHEMA.columns.unit| in a TAP service).
 
 The second argument MUST be a string literal containing a valid unit
 description using the formatting defined in the \VOUnitSpec{}.
 
+Example:
+
+\begin{verbatim}
+    -- ra: column expressed in 'deg'
+    IN_UNIT(ra, 'rad')     -- OK
+    IN_UNIT(ra, 'arcmin')  -- OK
+\end{verbatim}
+
 It has to be noted that a unitless value, as defined by the \VOUnitSpec{}, can not
 be converted. Similarly a non-unitless value can not be converted into a
 unitless one.