there are no errors shown when the program executes. the problem is that i have the program set on a scheduler which continuosly runs. when i try to access the .dbf after the program has executed, fox gives me an error saying file access is denied. the reason for the error is because the file is still being seen as being used exclusively. i want the alias to either be used shared or to be closed when done. i tried the command "use" after the end scan statement to close the work area; but even with that, the file was seen as being used exclusively. the program works. i just cannot get the work area to recognize the alias as shared or close alias from the work area after excecution. thanks.