hi Rob,

Not the instance of access running the process but the access db instance that is used for the datasource.

for instance when i open the main app "debt manager" i navigate to the form for reporting

I select the mailmerge item from a Combo and click run reports. this then opens a new instance of the Debt manager Application (to get the source for the mail merge) and it is this instance (the second instance) i want to close.

it's not very clear i know sorry if you don't get what i'm saying.

thanks

David