>AFAIK Insert command locks the table header, thus the Error you're getting.

I thought something along this line.... when I read from the INSERT - SQL help info...
"If the table you specify isn't open, it is opened exclusively in a new work area and the new record is appended to the table. The new work area isn't selected; the current work area remains selected.

If the table you specify is open, INSERT appends the new record to the table. If the table is open in a work area other than the current work area, it isn't selected after the record is appended; the current work area remains selected."

Does the "append" do a momentary lock on the table for the append? If so, then the simultaneous attempts by the 2 batch files would cause the problem....sigh....

>>You may surround your insert with explicit flock() or try to use this table in buffering mode and then tableupdate. I think, the first method would be better.

Yeah, I think so too...

So I need to add to the AUDITBAT code the following?....

SET REPROCESS TO 10 SECONDS (set locking attemt to 10 seconds)

Then

IF FLOCK('auditbat')

>
>>The Error : "File is in Use by Another User"
>>