Hi!
For the first point, I have problem too with Excel constant in FoxPro, so I find the file constant.xls at microsoft site for the content of the constant.
xlDown = -4121 && for Excel 97
So you should try this :
.select.Insert(-4121)
insert shift:= is for VB and should remain in () with VFP
I hope I'll help you! :)
Merci!!!
--Séb