>>>I think if I didn't add the cJoinSqlDatabase to the second JOIN, SQL Server could have using the MyTable2 from the first (default) SQL Database instead of the second one. By explicitly adding the cJoinSqlDatabase I am making sure that the correct database is use, in each case.
>>
>>Correct. Just to mention that dbo is the default, so you can omit it. The syntax can then be "...from otherDb..myTable2...". I do that a lot.
>>My preference is to keep the dots visible, not merged, so that I know that I'm selecting from a different db, sometimes just as simple as this:
>>

	TEXT to lcSelectCnt noshow textmerge
>>	select count(*) as cnt from [<<gcDb>>]..[<<lct>>]
>>	ENDTEXT
>>

>
>I still think the already mentioned use of SQL table alias is the best way to eliminate errors (and typing when chages occur)
>

I agree. I think using a local alias here gives you more readable queries, too.

Tamar