>MSDN CD's at work...
>
>How do you shell out to a batch file/ non VFP exe ?

Lots of ways - the native VFP RUN command will fire a batch file for a QUAD approach.
I wrote a class called API_APPRUN, available for downloading here on UT, that uses the Win32API CreateProcess() call, and allows you to either 'fire and forget' (launch and then return without waiting on termination) or wait on completion. it will also allow you to retrieve the termination code, check the status of applications that you launch without waiting on termination, kill a process, and a few other useful things. It gives you better control of the screen mode that the batch file or .EXE runs in, too.

Other API calls such as ShellExecute() and WinExec() will work, too, although ultimately, they all end up using CreateProcess() to do the dirty work.

There are also Automation servers, like Wscript.Shell, that offer methods to run an app, too.

As usual, in VFP there are lots of ways to skin a cat!