thanks for quick reply and your time
i'm new to basic4ppc but not entirely new to programmeing but i find
importing various snipets of code useful for experimenting
i don't think that the copy paste in the editor reflects the windows clip board therefore
i paste code into constants.txt open basic4ppc call the constants file via the help menu
and then copy the code and paste it into sbp file
long winded but quicker then typing
hence the request for a seperate .txt file
if there is any easier way of getting code into the progamme please let me know
once again thank you for replying and after trying various programmeing tools eg ppl
i hopefully have found a well supported and quite flexible developement tool
thanks for your help look forward to your reply
rb