>>>I'm new to VF5. What string of code must I type? Must I put it in the command button click event?
>>
>>In the click event of the command button you could put
>>
>>thisform.textbox.setfocus()
>>
>>It depends on the hierarchy of your objects.
>
>Thanks, I have just tried this, and it works. However, how do I get the text from the previous search to be cleared?

try
thisform.textbox.value = ""
thisform.textbox.setfocus()
*If the textbox is not refreshing properly. Add
thisform.textbox.refresh()

HTH