>I have always thought that the (free) tables used in a SQL Select statement must already be opened before the SQL is executed.
>
>The other day, I entered a Select.. statement from the command window when no tables were opened, and the darned thing worked!!
>
>So which way is it? If the free tables are in the search path, is it ok to call a SQL select in the load() of a form without first "use"ing the tables?

Yes. You don't need to USE the tables. The SELECT statement will treat the opening of the files in the FROM according to your current SET EXCLUSIVE mode.

Lennert