Too soon for All Good .
From one problem to the next. Yes i installed NIgel Coates programs and registry changes and ms outook working as you suggested.
i averted the problem of filetostr() for body of email text by moving over to Craig Boyd's email code and i find now a new problem has emerged. The filetostr() for body works fine however the new problem is creating multiple recipients - filetostr() does not work on reicpient list.

I have started a new thread to see if there is solution.
Here it is in a nutshell (This is probably considered bad etiquette to cross over threads - sorry) - Do you know the code and a solution Naomi.

EMAILRECIP = 'Email1@here.ca' OK

EMAILRECIP = 'Email1@here.ca, email2@there.ca' NOT OK
EMAddRecipient(EMAILRECIP, MAPI_TO)

works for one recipient no problem. if i create a list of recipients through filetostr() Function (even if i place two recipients email1@here.com; ail2@there.com) no one appears in the TO.

thanks
k