>And if Row IS used for all related tables, and the parent record is saved via TABLEUPDATE() or the pointer in the parent table is moved - is the child records saved? I now execute a TABLEUPDATE() on each table - parent and all child.

Even though it's not a one-to-many, what Nancy and I said before still applies. On each individual table, if the pointer is moved, VFP automatically tries to save the record (implied TABLEUPDATE()). If the record pointer on any individual table is NOT moved, there is no implied TABLEUPDATE().

So the question becomes "do you have a relation set from the parent table into the child tables, or do you have any code in place which moves all the child table pointers when the parent record pointer is moved?" If the child table's record pointer is moved, there is an automatic (behind the scenes) TABLEUPDATE() on the child table. If the record pointer is not moved, there is not.

HTH,