Yes, I can write to the cursor outside the grid. When I suspend the application, I confirm that the Grid.ReadOnly = .F. and the Grid.Column.ReadOnly = .F. I'm surprised to find that Grid.Column.Text1.ReadOnly = .T., so I set it back to .F. I then verify that it is set to .F. and resume the application.

Again, I try to modify the data there and get the "Control is Read-Only" message. I suspend the app again and check the Text1.ReadOnly value and discover it has been set to .T. again! I don't know how...

As for the cursor creation, it's pretty straight forward:

CREATE CURSOR X (Field1 c(5), Field2 c(5), etc...)
INDEX ON Field1 TAG Field1
SET ORDER TO 0 IN X && Back to natural order

* I scan through another cursor and insert certain data from it

THIS.Grid.RecordSource = "X"
THIS.Grid.ReadOnly = .F.

THIS.Grid.Column1.ControlSource = "Field1"
THIS.Grid.Column1.ReadOnly = .F.
THIS.Grid.Column1.Text1.ReadOnly = .F.

THIS.Grid.Column1.ControlSource = "Field2"
etc..

THIS.Grid.Refresh
THIS.Grid.SetFocus

I appreciate any help you can provide.