I understand this approach.

There is nobody dealing with the tables. And if - I get paid to solve it. :)

>I meant something like
>
>

>select count(*) from (calias) where cTAG=tcKey and deleted() into array laDel
>if laDel[1]>0
>*** uncertain how your code best fixed to assumptions
>endif
>IF !SEEK(tcKey,cALias,cTAG)
> INSERT INTO ...
>ELSE
> REPLACE ...
>ENDIF
>

>
>or
>
>

>lcdele = set("DELETED")
>set dele off 
>IF !SEEK(tcKey,cALias,cTAG)
> INSERT INTO ...
>ELSE
> REPLACE ...
>ENDIF
>if lcdele=="ON"
> set dele on
>endif
>

>
>as a table never is safe from others fiddling with it.