You will check Textbox.Value property. I don't understand what you call 'wildcard' characters.

>Ed,
>
>What if I want to change these actual characters each time. Ie
>Product registration number for each user? How do I check wildcard
>characters in a string?
>
>Thanks and have a good day!
>
>Becky
>
>
>>>vfp 3.0 win 95
>>>
>>>I need to compare a string of characters typed into
>>>a text box.
>>>
>>>Say for example Q7428-452-6587-1234
>>>
>>>I need to check alpa and numeric characters in a specific
>>>order. I want the form to check for this string before it
>>>will run the form.
>>>
>>>Thanks and have a good day!
>>>
>>>Becky
>>
>>This is standard way:
>>IF cString1=="Q7428-452-6587-1234"
>>ELSE
>>ENDIF