OK - Further to this problem.
If I replace the CREATEOBJECT with a MESSAGEBOX - all logic to RETURN False or True otherwise remaining the same - then the code functions exactly like I want it to. If it returns True it advances to the next column and False it stays put.
The only difference I can see is that the original form does not lose focus with a MESSAGEBOX and does with another form being brought up and consequently the ACTIVATE does not fire when a MESSAGEBOX is used and does otherwise.
I have removed the code form the ACTIVATE and even put in a NODEFAULT. It makes no difference.
Question:- What other events fire when a form gets the focus again?
Question 2:- Could this be a basic underlying problem in VFP itself?

Thanks in advance again for any help or enlightenment you can give

>I have a grid for order entry. When a quantity is entered I check in the valid to see if there is enough stock to cover it and if not I use CREATOBJECT to pop up a modal form showing quantities available and giving the user a choice to continue with the order or not. When they choose to continue I hide the info form, obtain the answer (T or F) and release the form and the variable. So far so good. In VFP 6 it did not advance to the next column even if the Valid returned True and I had to use some flags to make sure the message form did not keep popping up and when it did not, the next TAB or ENTER moved on to the next column. Under VFP 7 the cursor does not advance and even if I click on another column, the cursor does not advance out of that column when I TAB although all the methods that are supoosed to fire do so and the valid and lost focus are returning True. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance.