Try it with just the alias instead of the dbf name.

If !used('myfile')

Alan

>i have a function that i use in a number of forms. in it i need to determine if a certain file is open and if not, open it. code goes like this:
>if !used('myfile.dbf')
>sele 0
>use myfile
>endi
>the problem is that VFP goes into the IF even if the file is 'used' and gives an error message that says the file is already in use. any ideas on how to actually see if the file is open or not?
>tia!