try

USE bookings IN (SELECT("Bookings")) ALIAS muh
USE bookings IN (SELECT("Bookings")) EXCLUSIVE
*boom

even better

USE bookings IN (SELECT("Bookings")) 
USE bookings IN (SELECT("Bookings")) AGAIN ALIAS muh
USE bookings IN (SELECT("Bookings")) EXCLUSIVE
*boom

we do not talk datasessions and concurent use

and, for your example

SELECT SELECT("Bookings")
USE bookings EXCLUSIVE

will work with SELECT before USE. Even five char smaller code

[gdr]

>I am sure this must have been pointed out already. But, try placing a SELECT Bookings after the USE statement. If there is a table already in the current work area, then the Booking table will be opened in the next unused work area.
>
>Also, as a standard practice, I generally use the statement
>

>USE bookings IN (SELECT("Bookings")) EXCLUSIVE
>SELECT Bookings
>

>So if the table is already open in another work area, then it will be reopened in the same work area.
>
>
>
>>

>>SET SAFETY OFF
>>SET EXCLUSIVE on
>>USE bookings IN 0 EXCLUSIVE &&I have tried it with and without the exclusive clause. Makes no difference.
>>DELETE ALL
>>PACK
>>IF ISEXCLUSIVE( ) &&Just to check if there is exclusivity. returns .f. each time - no matter what I change around in the code.
>> MESSAGEBOX('Table opened exclusive')
>>ELSE
>>  MESSAGEBOX('Not opened exclusively')
>>ENDIF
>>SET EXCLUSIVE OFF
>>SET SAFETY ON
>>