OK, I'll buy into your logic of "who cares if it's not the very next number".
what would I use in the init event of a text box of the form to show the PO that's being used now?

i.e. : this.value = ?????????????

>This is the default behavior for "TasteTrade-like" way of incremental PK generator. The key field is updated at the time of new record insertion, even if the data is buffered and later aborted. The solution is to:
>1. Don't worry about the gaps between sequence of auto-incremented numbers. Why does this matter anyway?
>2. Don't use buffering directly on the table. Use some derivitive of SCATTER method and only update to actual table when saving.
>
>HTH
>
>>I have an incremental number generator (primary key) that I use for a P.O. number. I'm using Optimistic Buffering. The problem is that when I simply exit without saving and enter again, it increments again. The buffer doesn't clear until I close foxpro. what command can i use in the exit click event that will CLEAR THE BUFFER?