>This would quickly go towards a data design conversation, but i'll spare you because i really don't have time today. If you're developing the app from scratch, take the extra time to make a really good data model before doing the serious form design. (then make a dummy form to make sure the data works well) When the data is working correctly, the form is a lot easier to implement. If you're working with someone else's data model, and trying to add a feature, then my suggestion is to do less rather than more- otherwise you will end up re-writing the form on a data model you don't have control over...

This idea of a view that's updateable on the fly came from looking at Promatrix and also from a client's request that he'd like to search based on last name, or any part of the full name of a person (this last thing I already figured out). In VPM you can specify that certain fields in any table will have a lookup function (i.e. you press f2 and a little from with a grid pops up).

But I see your point re. the data design.

Thanks for your prompt replies!

alex