In fact, all ActiveX control containers (VB, VFP, etc.) add Object as property to the hosted ActiveX control. In VB till now (6 years) I had not discover any difference in behavior of the ActiveX control, referred with and without Object. But in VFP, some controls behaves different (and often causes errors) when referred without Object. I think the reason is wrapper Olecontrol class in VFP - reference without Object returns the wrapper class, while reference with Object returns the ActiveX control. This is the cause I always use Object with ActiveX controls.