Just to add a little to what John has said--

You can convert to numeric to a str with alltrim(str(M))

HTH
Jeff

>Hi Brad ---
>
>First off, maybe using "m" by itself is not a great idea as VFP uses it as a preface to memvars, i.e. m.variable.
>
>Secondly, think about dumping the =.T. and =.F. and just do a If PortOpen or If !PortOpen.
>
>Third, the MESSAGEBOX(m) will error if M is numeric.
>
>
>>I am having trouble with the syntax on the following calculation. Evidently, I am not structuring the command as needed by fox.
>>
>>any suggestions?
>>
>>Thanks in advance.
>>Brad.
>>
>>
>>thisform.olecontrol1.PortOpen=.T.
>> if thisform.olecontrol1.portopen=.t. then
>> messagebox ("The Port is open, Ready to Send this Part Number to the Saw.")
>> endif
>>
>>thisform.olecontrol1.output="motest"+chr(13)
>>
>>M=thisform.txtColumn3.value
>>
>>Mc=(m)* -1 *THIS IS WHERE I GET THE ERROR***
>>
>>messagebox (M)
>>
>>
>>thisform.olecontrol1.output="D"
>>thisform.olecontrol1.output=(Mc)
>>thisform.olecontrol1.output=chr(13)
>>
>>
>>
>>thisform.olecontrol1.output="GO"+chr(13)
>>
>>
>>thisform.olecontrol1.PortOpen = .f.
>> if thisform.olecontrol1.portopen=.f. then
>> messagebox ("The Port is now closed")
>> endif