Hi, Tom...

Yes, it is possible first to establish recordsource of the grid
to {NONE} and then after sql command columns of the grid will
not blow away. But this is true in just one case:
when the grid's columns have the same order as in the
cursor. I mean the following:
Cursor's fields: f1, f2, ...
Grid columns controlsources: f1, f2, ...
Hovewer, if you don't want to show field f2 and bound
second column's controlsource to f3, then after re sql command
you should redefine this column because it bounds to f2.
It can happen to other columns (and they also need to be
redifined).
Or, you can create cursor in such a way that all columns you
don't want to show are located in the tail of the cursor and
then you can just one time define columncount of the grid.

All the best.