True - and I'll try not to start any discussions on whether or not that is correct behaviour - the intent is to avoid moving the file pointer so that deletes and changes don't accidently get committed when they shouldn't. I believe that is what happens when the pointer is moved even in a buffered file. But I sit to be corrected (the shock ya know *g*).

>>Colin - I didn't mention that in my original post but what I do to avoid moving the pojnter at all is as follows
>>
>>

>>lcoldalias = ALIAS()
>>USE polines AGAIN IN 0 ALIAS countlines
>>SELECT countlines
>>
>>COUNT FOR countlines.idnumber = thisform.idnumber.value TO lnreccount
>>SELECT (lcoldalias)
>>USE IN countlines
>>
>>IF lnreccount = 0
>>     *** Insert stuff here
>>ENDIF
>>
>>*** Refreshes and so on
>>

>>
>>I am copying this to Erik. HTH
>
>Nice, but since the tables are buffered, allowing deletes on the child records throws a wrench into this. If my child table has 1 record that I delete and I haven't issued TABLEUPDATE then the COUNT on the USE AGAIN.... will return 1.