>>ThisForm.lbl1.caption = "Running some SQL."
>>ThisForm.refresh
>>ThisForm.RunSomeSQL

What happens if you replace thisform.refresh with thisform.lbl1.refresh?

My thought is that since the SQL is called immediately after the form.refresh, that the SQL is executing (and hogging resources) faster than the form.refresh. A single control refresh might be more efficient.

If that doesn't work, then i'd try the work-arounds.

FWIW, you could put the .lbl1.caption="running.." and lbl1.refresh INSIDE the .RunSomeSQL method. It's a more modular design, so that the label is updated correctly regardless of where the method called. Even if it's only called from one point, it might correct the refresh problem (because the commands would be sequential inside the same method??) HTH