>Is there a function to tell where a table is a member of a DBC or a free table. I have an open DBC and before I open a table I need to know if it belongs in the DBC or is a free table. I open the files with different parameters depending on the source.

Yes. Assume that the database name is BIGAPP and the table name is ORDERS...

OPEN DATABASE bigapp
nArrayCnt=ADBOBJECTS(laTables,"TABLE") && laTables contains list of DB tables
nFound=ASCAN(laTables,"ORDERS")
IF nFound # 0
**** Yes it is in DBC
ELSE
**** No it isnt
ENDIF