well done Naomi - works very well - i thought you were giving me options but as you point out it is a two step process
thanks a lot

k

>>>

>>>#DEFINE wdWindowStateMinimize 2 
>>>#DEFINE wdWindowStateMaximize 1 
>>>
>>>loWord.WindowState = wdWindowStateMinimize	&& Сворачиваем окно  //Minimize 
>>>loWord.WindowState = wdWindowStateMaximize	&& Разворачиваем окно, что приводит к его активизации //Maximize makes it active 

>>>
>>>based on this FAQ
>>>http://forum.foxclub.ru/read.php?32,177182,258927#msg-258927 (in Russian)
>>
>>thanks naomi
>>the maximize does in fact work but again opens up behind vfp
>>k
>
>Did you try both commands as I showed (first minimize, then maximize)? If it doesn't work for you, then check other solutions in that FAQ.
>
>I tried it myself right now and it worked - Word was brought to the front.