>I have already defined my variable that way.
>
>In the Variable area of Report writer I have defined
>lcPathName = 'c:\greenl~2\+alltrim(cat_num)+.bmp'
>
>in the picture object filed I have tried various methods
>&lcPathName
>IIF(FILE(lcPathName) =.T.,lcPathName,'Blank.bmp) BITMAP
>
>and if I don't get syntax error I get Field Must be General Memo
>
>Any Other Ideas
>
>Ken

You mean you know lcPath beforehand ? If so why use a variable, directly write it.
I simply store the pathandfilename in a field (say ImgPath) and in report have :
(ImgPath)
as the picture file expression.
Cetin