Jill....

>>Turns OUT, my client REALLY wants the system in Access - at this point even reading directly or importing isn't satisfactory. Oh welll...I know a bit more about the options now.

Sorry to hear that! Access has it's strengths and some wonderful stuff is out there but it just does not have the strenght of VFP. But the client is always.... the client! :)

P.S.... If your new to Access Development beg, borrow, or steal a copy of Access 97 Developers Handbook published by Sybex. It's got enough sample code to do a complete app and is almost the Bible of Access. While it is version 97 I bet 99% of the code will work in 2000 and it is really a great text.

Good luck on your project.