Moises,
be careful with FILE() function. It will returns .T. if file with the same name exists somewhere in VFP path.
i.e. you have file with name "test.dbf" in folder "c:\test\"
In VFP put

SET PATH TO c:\test
? FILE("c:\someotherfoldername\test.dbf") && -> .T.

Thats why I always use SYS(2000)

SET PATH TO c:\test
? EMPTY(SYS(2000,"c:\someotherfoldername\test.dbf")) && -> .F.
** or as Naomi suggest use ADIR() function

>The routine below does not work
>Anybody has a clue ?
>
>It looks like I cannot use a macro& withing if file ()
>
>Thanks, Moises
>
>
>dire = getdir ()
>
> cll = dire + "/" + "cl.dbf"
>
> if .not. file(&cll)
>
> = messagebox ("File not found")
>
> endif