vlad
i used your idea about having 3 command buttons in the gird's column and set its pem as follows:-
ControlSource=jsts
CurrentControl=command1
DynamicCurrentControl=jsts
i then created a new method called RefreshButtone4EachRow with codes

if allt(jsts)='HOLD'
thisformset.form1.grdstafflog.column9.currentcontrol=command1
else
if allt(jsts)='APPROVED'
thisformset.form1.grdstafflog.column9.currentcontrol=command2
else
if allt(jsts)=''
thisformset.form1.grdstafflog.column9.currentcontrol=command3
endi
endi
endi
each command button has its own picture
where should i reference the new method in column9? however, only if i set the CC=command3, the column displays the picture correctly. can you guide me further on this solution? much obliged for that and eagerly waiting for your advice. ta