>thanks for the replies but i think i have specified my problem incorrectly.
>i have gone round the problem of opening the right the databases. what i did was that i manipulate the database pointer in every cursor of the data environment in the load event of the form ,and that seems to work.
>the problem which is happening in this case is i think the wrong form and not the database which is being openend incorrectly.
>
>i think the only solution is to hide the path to the design area as you have suggested.grrrrrrrr! foxpro is hopless in some areas , just when i thaught i solved the problem with the databases i get this crap from the forms. grrrrrr!

Henri-

(I haven't followed the whole thread, so this may not be apropos)
FWIW we use a table (we call 'AppCtl.dbf' for 'Application Control') that does nothing more than hold paths to our various application and database directories. We maintain one for 'live' data and apps and one for the development side. Prior to opening a table or external application we consult AppCtl.dbf to return the appropriate path. Of course the AppCtl.dbf must be in a known location, but that location needn't be fixed (it can be relative to the location of the calling application).

HTH!