>I am trying to use SQL select to get the first 60 chars of a memo field that represents the description of some work to be done. I need it to result in a 60 char text field that I can display in a browse window.
>
>...
>Select item, substr(desc,1,60), price from WorkTable into table Items
>Browse
>...
>
>What I get is a browse window that has the item number and price, but it says MEMO. I want the user to see the first 60 chars!!
>
>I have tried the mline() function, but it is only returning 1 character, even thought MEMOWIDTH is set to 60.

That is odd. I just tried this one myself, and got the same thing.
Try it with LEFT(desc,60) instead - that worked for me.