Try

STRTRAN(whatever,  CHR(13)+CHR(10)+CHR(13)+CHR(10), CHR(13)+CHR(10))

>thanks sergey - unfortunately too efficient - this removes all returns and gives me: (from example below)
>line 1 of textline 2 of textline 3 of textline 5 of text
>k
>
>>New Line combination in Windows is CR + LF, CHR(13)+CHR(10). If there're no addtional spaces
>>

>>STRTRAN(whatever,  CHR(13)+CHR(10), "")
>>

>>
>>>Does anyone know how i can get rid of emtpy lines in a text file:
>>>I thought this might work - it doesn't :(
>>>welcome any suggestions
>>>k
>>>

>>>=STRTOFILE(CHRTRAN(FILETOSTR("c:\mydir\m.txt"),CHR(13)+"  ",' '),"c:\mydir\m.txt")
>>>

>>>original text:
>>>line 1 of text
>>>line 2 of text
>>>
>>>
>>>line 3 of text
>>>
>>>line 5 of text
>>>
>>>i would like converted to
>>>line 1 of text
>>>line 2 of text
>>>line 3 of text
>>>line 5 of text