Using the alias works for me (XP), and works as well for the user who reported the problem in NT.

C(lcWidth) works because you can put an expression there, not just a number.

Jim

>I would tend to agree with you, Jim. It would be so easy with an alias. I've had success with
>
>ALTER TABLE &lcNewFile ADD COLUMN &lcColumn C( 5), ...
>
>Don't know why I used & and not () - perhaps chary that name expression won't work OR FOUND that name expression won't work! Just know I always/usually use & (no time to check all forms). Not sure though about the field-sizing logic you used, i.e. C( lcWidth), - never had to try that.
>
>Terry