Got it. found the solution in the msn help.

the trick is to convert the pixels to foxels.

function _Pix2Fox
PARAMETER ;
	napixel, ;
	cdimension

* *** usage
* ***	myfoxelrow = _pix2fox(pixvalnum,"V") && for vertical (row) values
* ***	myfoxelcol = _pix2fox(pixvalnum,"H") && for horizontal (col) values

RETURN m.napixel/FONTMETRIC(IIF(UPPER(m.cdimension) = "H", 6, 1))

this now gets a lot closer to my button object. i now have to add/consider form border width, titlebar, etc - and i should have my popup right where i need it.

thanks Sergey for your help.