>The problem is if VFP can set a filter on the table you are selecting from, it will do so. Therefore, a temp file is not created. What you need to include in the Select command is a NOFILTER clause at the end of the command. This will create the temp file you will need. The code snippet is like:

>SELECT * FROM mytable INTO CURSOR TempCur NOFILTER
>use dbf("TempCur") again in 0 alias MyNewCursor
>index on somefield tag somename

>Using the dbf again is what makes the cursor read-write.

Boy is that arcane! Does this have to do with the optimzer? Is there someplace this behavior is specified? Is this a VFP idiosyncrasy or a standard "SQL" feature? Amazing!

Thanks for your help. I doubt if I'd have ever figured that one out by experimentation.

I find MS's specification of the use of cursors sketchy at best yet they seem like really useful things. Know of any good, comprehensive discussion of the use of cursors with VFP?