>>I have NEVER used alias() before.
>>I usually use select() instead. Will
>>you forget about the alias you created? :)
>knowing if anything is open in the currently selected area,
>lcOpenArea = ALIAS(SELECT())
>IF EMPTY(lcOpenArea)
> * No table/view/cursor is open
>ENDIF

Too complicated. just check dbf() will do.
if you prefer, use dbf(select()).

Anyway, I found it quite funny if you just
forgot the alias (assigned by YOU) used to
open the last dbf(). Maybe you should just
close all and re-open the tables.