The record is still in table no metter that you not see it. You are SET DELETED ON & all deleted records are ignored. Before INSERT the new record You must check If the record with the same key is already exists & if it exists & deleted recover it.

*** Before inserting
SELECT MyTable
SET DELETED OFF
SEEK MainKey ORDER PrimaryIndexForThatTable
IF FOUND()
   IF DELETED()
      RECALL
      REPLACE....
   ELSE
     MessageBox("The record with the same key already exists")
   ENDIF
ELSE
   INSERT INTO ...
ENDIF
SET DELETED ON



>I am using the VFP tables.  I have a situation where, you enter a record and the user enters a unique key.  The record is then deleted.  Later another record with the same key is entered.  an error occurs regarding the uniqueness of the key.  Why does this error occur.  When I browse the VFP table I do see that the old record is there and marked for deletetion.  Is there a way to avoid this problem with out packing and reindexing the table?
>
>Thank you in advance
>Christine

Against Stupidity the Gods themselves Contend in Vain - Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller
The only thing normal about database guys is their tables.