>>
>>ok, almost got it.
>>
>>with thisform.olecontrol1
>> .filename = 'whatever.exe'
>> .defaultext = '.exe'
>> .showopen()
>>
>> messagebox(.filename) &&gives me the return
>>endwith
>>
>>However, the .defaultext property doesn't seem to work for me. The "files of type" drop down list in the dialog box is empty. I also tried .defaultext='exe' but got the same results.
>
>The filter property is what you're looking for here. Check the doc on that. It allows you to specify both the extension and description that appears.

Thanks, that works. Now back to my original issue. Can I instantiate this control in a .prg (using createobject() or newobject()) and if so, which OCX is the commondialog in so I can reference that file when creating the object? This activeX control doesn't appear in the "ActiveX controls overview" secion in VFP help, which is the only way I know of to determine which OCX an ActiveX class belongs to.