So then you only give user access to a copy.

You operate against the original. If the user made changes to the copy, it will be different from the original. Replace the original with the copy, and go on about it.

If there ISN"T a difference between the two, then you ask them about it. "Ummm... did you forget to make changes?" <g>

Any time you let the users into an interactive process (like Word) you run the risk that they'll pull some stupid user trick. The best you can hope to do is catch them at it.

Dan


>It's hard to prevent them from seeing it when they have to edit it :-) The application has dozens of instances of the entire process completely under VFP control. These all work very well. The problem arises when the user needs to modify the text. Once I give them access to Word, I feel like the application has lost control--but is still responsible for insuring that the process completes just as it would if they didn't have access.