>Hmmm... So once the value gets assigned to the variable, I may or may not be able to extract the data - or assign my data to the variable in the proper format?
>

you will be able to extract it. The COM interface to the control decides what type of data to return from the control. It'll usually be a string, a numeric or a logical.

>Is the best I can do assigning ACAD data to a variable and then try to decipher it with the debugger?

Just look at the documentation for the control and assume the data will be the VFP version of the VB datatype. Shouldn't be a problem.