Try this: IF EXISTS (SELECT name FROM sysobjecs WHERE id = object_id(N'tablename') AND OBJECTPROPERTY(id, N'IsUserTable') = 1) SELECT * FROM tablename Or to get a list of tables (using this query in the EXISTS clause above also works), this is even easier: SELECT TABLE_NAME FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES "Well, I wouldn't say I've been missing it, Bob." - Peter Gibbons

the msdn says: To compile an application that uses this function, define the _WIN32_WINNT macro as 0x0400 or later. maybe Adding it.