# PRB: "File Is in Use" OpenDBF Error with FOXAPP.APP

ID: Q103279

The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, versions 2.0, 2.5, and 2.5a
- Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5 and 2.5a
- Microsoft FoxPro for Macintosh, versions 2.5x

## SYMPTOMS

When you run FOXAPP.APP, the following error may occur:

       Line No. 911
       Program: OpenDBF
       Error: File is in use.
       Source: Use

The line number will vary, according to the version of FoxPro being used.

## CAUSE

This error occurs when the database name contains special characters that cause FoxPro to open the database under a different alias than the name of the database.

The following characters will cause this error:

       ! @ # $ % ^ & ( ) - '

For example, the command USE Y-XXX.DBF will create an alias of the name of the work area that Y-XXX.DBF was opened in, rather than the name of the database. Therefore, if Y-XXX.DBF was opened in work area 1, the alias name will be "1" instead of "Y-XXX".

In FoxPro version 2.5 for MS-DOS and FoxPro version 2.5 for Windows only, a database name beginning with a numeral will also cause this error.

## RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, remove the special characters from the name.

Additional reference words: FoxDos FoxWin FoxMac 2.00 2.50 2.50a 2.50b 2.50c workarea KBCategory: kbprg kberrmsg kbprb KBSubcategory: FxtoolGeneral

Last Reviewed: June 27, 1995 © 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.