>>This is probably a fairly basic level question, but here goes...
>>Occasionally I will encounter a situation where the Used() function will return .f. for a table/cursor being in use, but attemting to then use the tested table fails with a "file is in use" error. The problem is intermittent.
>>What would cause this to occur?
>>TIA,
>>Margaret
>
>Are you testing for Used() in code called from a Form with a Private DataSession, this will cause Used() to return .F. if the table is open in a different data session.


I concur. Multiple datasessions make the used() function more difficult to implement. The quick and dirty solution might be to encase the used() function is some code like this:

IF !USED('mytablealias')
USE mytable ALIAS 'mytablealias' IN 0
ENDIF


Let the other datasession keep control of it's copy and use it in this datasession again for it's own purposes... Just a thought.