Brenda,

Another alternative. Use an editbox with a couple of format changes it'll look like a label. Set the ControlSource to something like thisform.Tag. Then all you have to do to update it is

with thisform
   .Tag = "this is the step I'm currently working on, please be patient"
   .Refresh()
endwith

>i have an app that performs some system functions. the app contains a single form that has a start an exit button. it also has a label that is used to indicate the apps progress. the length of the label caption can vary greatly. the label can only be so wide (obviously not wider than the form), so it may have to be multi lined. i am having a hard time making the label visually appealing, and the correct size. how is a good way of setting the label properties when the caption size may vary greatly? how also should i set the caption: should i use chr(13) to go to next line?l