The purpose of the ExecuteReader method is to create the DataReader object. The Read method of the DataReader fetches the next record. Most of the time you find the Read method in a Do While clause to get the next record. The ExecuteReader does not fetch the first record but allows the developer to control when and how that process is to occur.

>Thanks Cathi! That worked.
>
>Seems redundant that you need a "reader.read()" statement thats preceeded by an "ExecuteReader()" statement...
>
>Todd
>
>
>>You need to call the Read method of the DataReader before accessing the data. The Read method actually goes out and fetches the record. Change your code to the following:
>
>Dim reader As System.Data.OleDb.OleDbDataReader
>reader = OleDbCommand1.ExecuteReader()
>reader.Read()
>TextBox4.Text() = reader.Item("hdesc")