Hi Raj Many thanks for this it works well...Jim

ACtually, the libraries in VB.NET2005 are doing that very thing for you. Just because you CAN do it in VB.NET, doesn't mean you SHOULD be doing it. Any VB6 project run through the Upgrade Wizard in VS.NET 2002, 2003, or 2005, will do the same thing. RageInTheMachine9532 "...a pungent, ghastly, stinky piece of cheese!" -- The Roaming Gnome