I am developing a front end for our database of our customers. I use a continuos subform to display them after a search, but I would like them to be green if the company is registered, and another colour if not. I have seen this done before and is really easy to do in 2000, but I can't figure it out in 97. Also could you please tell me\suggest where the relevant piece of code goes. Many thanks in advance.

Try this code in the OnCurrent.
It was used for another application, but you should be able to derive your requirements.

<snip>
Private Sub Form_Current()
' set colour of background depending on live or decomissioned

Const ltblue = 16776960
Const ltgreen = 65280
Const red = 255

If Me.Decomissioned.Value = -1 Then
Me.FormHeader.BackColor = ltblue
Me.Detail.BackColor = ltblue
ElseIf Me.Ghost = -1 Then
Me.Detail.BackColor = red
Me.FormHeader.BackColor = red
Else
Me.Detail.BackColor = ltgreen
Me.FormHeader.BackColor = ltgreen
End If

End Sub
<end snip>

Best of luck
LOZ

Thanx for the snips. I have put the code into the place you have suggested, and ammended the code a bit for my needs, however. It will only change colour when I select a record, but, every one in the subform changes to either red or green. The clause is just a simple "IsNull". Sorry to have hassled you. But thanks very much for the help so far. I'm certainly a step further to a finished database.