>In SQL, when you define a join condition i the way you're doing it, it comes out as a inner join. I.E. the result set contains the records that have match in both tables only. If there is a record from table 1 that the sql doesn't find a match in table 2, then it isn't included in the result set.
>
>In order to do what you're seeking, you have to explicitly make a left join, the syntax being:
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>SELECT BALANCE.* FROM BALANCE left join PTYPES on BALANCE.TYPE=PTYPES.TYPE where EMPTY(PTYPES.TYPE) INTO DBF ANYTABLE

Thanks for the fix Francisco

my first reaction was "thats all very well, but how did it pick up the valic records?" but of course, they match in both tables, so no prob.

thanks again

Harry