OK, I can't retract this but I found my issue. It was a spelling error I actually altered the backup table. I could still use the SQL replace pointers. Also, I thought that there was a help file on this in the win\help dir I cant recall the name but nothing under vf or vfp ... Thanks in advance.

>I have a table in the field that currently has a c(30) field and now I want a c(4). I have executed the following code without error and without altering the table :) What is the problem with this code?
>
>

>    If Dir("C:\test.dbf", vbNormal) <> "" Then
>        Dim cn1 As New ADODB.Connection
>        Dim cm1 As New ADODB.Command
>        cn1.Open "Driver=Microsoft Visual Foxpro Driver;UID=;SourceType=DBF;Deleted=YES;Null=NO;SourceDB=D:\"
>        cm1.ActiveConnection = cn1
>        cm1.CommandType = adCmdUnknown
>        cm1.CommandText = "ALTER TABLE C:\test.dbf ALTER COLUMN Field3 c(4)"
>       cm1.Execute
>    End If
>
>

>
>Also, any tips for the SQL replace commands before I get into that?