Opening file

[cas21]

Why is it that in my prog, when I try to open
a file from recent file list, it will not open unless I hard code the file name. If I use a variable, it will not work. Suggestions?

I may be misinterpreting your question here. When I open a file for input or what have you I use a common dialog box which puts the path of the file into a property of the common dialog control which is not realy different from a variable. What is the recent file list you refer to? Is is part of your program or Windows? If it is in your program and you can get the full path into a string it should work. If it isn't what error message do you get?