Mark I never ever use the near fct so it is always off. I will test your code chgs. however 'select 0' gives an error

>First some code cleanup for better flow. I also include modifications for you to try:

>lcOldNear = set("near")
>set near off   && see if the setting for NEAR is ON. if so turn it off.
>select 0
>use Scanfile
>select 0
>use Ecu  &&dump from  sql
>index on alltrim(label) to z
>select Scanfile     && new line of code
>locate
>do while .not. eof("Scanfile")
>   lab = allt(data)
>   select Ecu
>   seek lab
>   if .not. eof("Ecu")
>      replace scanfile.acct with  acct  && ok here
>   else
>      replace scanfile.noun with 'UNKNOWN'   && NEVER happens, remains blank
>   endif
>   select Scanfile
>   skip
>enddo
>select Scanfile
>set filter to noun = ' '
>browse
>select Scanfile
>replace all noun with 'UNKNOWN'
>set filter to
>browse           && ALIAS NOT FOUND!
>
>set near &lcOldNear