Can anyone tell me how, through Foxpro to return the DOS shortname of a directory ? ex. C:\documents and settings\ryan\some really long folder name\ so it reads: C:\docume~1\ryan\some r~1\

Under Windows XP you can get the DOS shortnames using the /X switch in the Dir command, e.g. Dir /X C:\documents and settings\ryan\some really long folder name\ but how then to use that is another story as you have to type the shortname explicitly in each command. So explain exactly what you are trying to achieve and may be it is easier than you suppose. And by the way what do you mean in your previous post saying "to test the Tree command"?

I am writting a app that allows the user to select the desidered location and then the app generates a Dos-tree view which it then runs out, replaces the ASCII Characters to make it look nice. When I try to pass a long DOS name it errors, when I pass a ok path name it runs great. Ryan

You can run a legacy DOS application under Windows XP (under some constraints), but as the application interfaces the operating system through the int 21h interface (via the NTVDM emulator) you need to follow the old 8.3 file format when accessing the file system. That is why in FoxPro you get an error using long file names.