>but there must be a function that I can use to get to both filename and directory path from a variable "x". Thanks in advance
>
Nick,

My friend David gave you the answer. There are functions (now) in VFP (before they were in Foxtools), that give you the extension, path, primary part of the file name and so on.

The only reason I'm posting this is to tell you to let your imagination be you're guide with them. For example

lcfield = JUSTEXT(MyAlias.Myfield)

will return Myfield. The same thing applies with objects.