>1) If a table is open in the data environment, do I need to open it anywhere in my code? If I don't have a use filenmame before a seek I get a message saying no table is open.
>
>2) I then do a seek & copy some records to another table. Then I do a use newtable and index that table. The index doesn't seem to work. Do I have 2 open tables but the one I named in use is the active table?
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>3) I want to then display some data on the screen & allow the user to page up, page down, and then escape. I don't want the user to be able to edit, add or delete records. Is this a BROWSE or a grid? I'm coming from a DOS background & may be thinking DOS. Basically I want a report to the screen for certain entered parameters (date range being one).
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>Thanks.

If you are using the VFP dataenvironment to open tables, then you should be able to seek the alias you sitting on, but you can sit on one alias and do a seek in another alias

Example:
Subscriber is open
Members is open

select Members
IF seek(,"Subscriber", )
Replace in Members with Subscriber.Fieldname
endif

If you are displaying records in a grid, there is a property to set to disable deleting records. You can also set the grid to read only.

If you are using a browse window, try browse nomodify nodelete.

I suggest you read the online help for VFP. It is very thorough. I understand your frustration coming from a dos background...