1) Compactdatabase does not return a value, but will raise an error if unsuccessful

2) Use the WinExec API to execute a command line without leaving the app in the task list
Public Declare Function WinExec Lib "kernel32" Alias "WinExec" (ByVal lpCmdLine As String, ByVal nCmdShow As Long) As Long

3) There are some freeware compression OCXs (although not in ZIP format) that you can use. I have Eclipse Cabinet http://www.greeneclipsesoftware.com/eclipsecabinet.html ...it looks pretty nice, although I haven't had a need to compress anything lately....and it's free!

HTH

Tom



[This message has been edited by Clunietp (edited 01-18-2000).]