sorry - i found solution in previous forum reply. I think Tore's help.

cfile='c:\db\past.DBF' 
if 'thh05'$cfile = .F.

k
etc
>what code could i use to verify if a field name is present in a table.
>

>Alter Table c:\db\past.DBF Rename Column thh05 To thh11
>

>
>this works fine however if the program is repeated thh05 is no longer present and an error message appears.
>
>i need an 'if' command to check for thh05
>
>thanks
>k