tnx Leeland, i've found the solution: i needed to use reflection strFormName = param_Form.Name Dim param_Form_type As Type = param_Form.GetType() Dim compFields As FieldInfo() = param_Form_type.GetFields(BindingFlags.Instance Or BindingFlags.NonPublic) For Each fiField As FieldInfo In compFields Dim strCtrl(1) As String strCtrl = ReturnCompName(fiField, param_Form) For Each dr As DataRow In myrs.Rows If strCtrl(0) = dr("SecAuthCtrl_Name") And fiField.FieldType.FullName = dr("SecAuthCtrl_Type") Then Select Case fiField.FieldType.FullName.ToLower Case "System.Windows.Forms.ToolBarButton".ToLower Dim cmp As ToolBarButton = DirectCast(fiField.GetValue(param_Form), ToolBarButton) cmp.Enabled = dr("SecAuthorized_Enabled") cmp.Visible = dr("SecAuthorized_Visible") Case "System.Windows.Forms.MenuItem".ToLower Dim cmp As MenuItem = DirectCast(fiField.GetValue(param_Form), MenuItem) cmp.Enabled = dr("SecAuthorized_Enabled") cmp.Visible = dr("SecAuthorized_Visible") Case Else End Select End If Next Next this works now, tnx for your effort batmike2000
