Yeah, it odd how that works. FreeFile will return the next available filehandle, but it won't actually lock it untill you use it (i.e. open a file with it). I'm of the opinion that if you ask the OS for a file handle (i.e. calling freeFile) and the OS gives you a handle, it should be yours and not handed out again on the next call to FreeFile . . . but thats just me. ;-) - Jeff Marler B-)