For SQL commands you should use SET ANSI setting not SET EXACT.

See http://www.berezniker.com/content/pages/visual-foxpro/string-comparison-vfp

>hi all,
>i have a situation at a customer site where i use the following command
>

>SET EXACT ON
>SELECT * FROM DMB WHERE DMB_BOM = DMBLINK INTO CURSOR PHIL NOFILTER
>

>this should select out only records where DMB_BOM = DMBLINK, what it does however is select out all records that start with DMBLINK. I am puzzled by this and added in the set exact on just above the line, it is also set at the top of the prg. i am lost on this, here are the rest of the set parameters from the top of the file. This is a program that i took over and is 8-10 years old
>

>SET SAFETY OFF
>SET EXACT ON
>SET DATE BRITISH
>SET STATUS OFF
>SET DELE ON
>SET SCOREBOARD OFF
>SET BELL OFF
>SET TALK OFF
>SET CONFIRM ON
>SET EXCL OFF
>

>~M