Peter:
>>In code I can write ltSample = datetime({//:} and ltSample will have an empty value. But if I put that string {//:} as an initial value for a property, VFP immediately converts it to {} and the actual value seems to be an empty date.

Fabio:
>this is sufficient: for define a empty datetime:

{ :}

When I wrote this: ltSample = datetime({//:}

That was just late night brain fog. I meant to say: ltSample = {//:}

However your way produces a date value (not datetime). I believe this is the minimum string to get a datetime value:

ltSample = {/:}

If seems that if I enter this as a property value, it MUST have an equal mark in front.

Thanks.

Peter