>So basically you always have to assign a unique workspace number if you need to use multiple tables at the same time. So you can use alias references after the fact, but you initially need a workspace number when you use them, correct?

No. You can let VFP select unused workarea for you with 'SELECT 0' or '...IN 0' clause. You don't need to know workarea number at all.

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>When you say select 0 auto assigns an unused one that would be easier to manage because you can use the alias after that point and it would not matter what number VFP gave it, if you always do select 0 you will always know your getting an unused space for it? Am I correct in my thinking here?

Yes.