Nadya has given you the reference to the MS info on this. I would ask why you need set compatible on? This is a setting that alters a very lot of stuff in VFP and not necessarily is it all documented. It is there to make VFP behave like dBase (where many commands and functions behave slightly differently than VFP). I have found the compatible mode to be a major source of confussion and difficulty. I have never found it to be helpful in anyway and therefore NEVER turn it on. I would suggest to find another way to accomplish what you need instead of SET COMPATIBLE ON
