>I don't work much with VB.NET, so I really can't help with the syntax...but have you considering changing the function to just return a string that the calling method can use to set the control's text property, as opposed to passing the control?

Well, I've been doing that in VFP for a while and it has always worked great. I thought that passing object was ok. But, if I can't find the way to properly setup that function, I'll have to go the route you suggest.