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>>>Use a cursor instead of a table. That way the "alias" name<br>
>>>is whatever you want it to be, and can be referenced as a<br>
>>>normal table. A cursor may have an<br>
>>>actual filename, but you don't need to concern yourself
>>>with that, and it will clean up after itself when you're done with it.
>

>
>Hi, Fred....the problem (at least I thought) with cursors is that they really only work in the current work area. I have about four files that I need to work with at the same time... and I select between them
>
>--- L

As Todd has pointed out, perfect for cursors. Cursors are just like a table for referencing purposes. As long as you specify the alias, it doesn't need to be the currently selected area to reference its fields. Your problem may be that if you create a new cursor, you're not putting it in a new area of it's own, and it's closing the previous table/cursor there. How are you creating your cursors?