>>>What about m.lo1 = "ma " and person.first should include "Mary", "Grandma", "Whatcamacallit", etc? What ALLTRIM the FIELD?
>
>>Then ALLTRIM() both expressions... UPPER(ALLTRIM(ex1)) $ UPPER(ALLTRIM(ex2))
>
>I am still not getting it. Why ALLTRIM the field? The ALLTRIM in the memory variable makes the "ma " into "ma" and then the $ search for anywhere in the field that contains the "ma" (as well the UPPER is needed, but the key issue is why ALLTRIM on BOTH sides).
>
>Chuck

Same exact reason. Trailing spaces.
The field value, unless it takes up the full size of the field contains trailing spaces just like the variable.
e.g.

Create Cursor cuTmp (cfield c(10))
Insert Into cutmp Values ("This")
Insert Into cutmp Values ("That")
Insert Into cutmp Values ("Th")
lcValue = "Those"
Browse For cfield $ lcValue                    && EOF()
Browse For Alltrim(cfield) $ lcValue     && 1 record
? ["] + cfield + ["]

notice that the last line returns

"Th        "

which is not in "Th"