>But if you have a primary key in the grid...wouldn't it show up in the grid?

No, you may set each column controlsource individually, thus excluding unnecessary fields from grid (they are still in cursor).

>So I can just use INDEX on the cursor? I thought that would create and index file...I'm sooo fresh with using SQL, I appreciate your patience

Yes, you will create index tag, but it's also temporary (will disappear when you close the cursor).

>I've heard this over and over again, could you explain exactly what NOFILTER accomplishes, or safeguards me from?

NOFILTER forces VFP to create real physical file. If you omit this clause then VFP will decide itself what to give you: either file, or just filter on base table.