thanks steve,

i have set the exclusive off but the alias is still seen as being open in the work area. also i set the alias as shared right off the bat. the following is the failing code:

set exclusive off

use test.dbf in 0 shared alias a_alias
use test1.dbf in 0 shared alias a_alias1

select a_alias
scan

If a_alias->field > 0 .and. not empty(a_alias->field)

Insert into a_alias2 ;
( a , ;
b , ;
c )
Values (a_alias->x , ;
a_alias->y, ;
a_alias->z)

endif
endscan


i cannot use the close all, close table, close database commands because i have other stuff in the work area that needs to stay open in order for the program to execute properly. i have also tried:
use test.dbf in 0 shared alias a_alias nolock
without any luck. any suggestions on how to close the two alias in the work area would be appreciated. i thought that a nolock command would be the answer.
select a_alias nolock or select a_alias with no lock does not seem to work.

i'm lost at this point. thanks