The basic idea is this:

*!* thisform.text1.valid()

IF this.value isn't valid
  display error message
  resent this.value to empty  && this is optional 
  return 0   
  *!*this is the same as returning .f., but avoids 
  *!*the system invalid entry message.
else
  return .t.
endif

>Hello all!
>
>can anyone advise if there is a way ( and how to do it ) to return focus to a field if an error occurs and this message box is displayed??
>...snip