Lookups in input processing

[Mitch Theophila/MGT Computer Solutions]

thanks to Doug, who posted a nice clean template of applicable logic; Ken,
who gave the fundamental, internals-view answer; and Jeff, whose index idea
is way much slicker than anything i'd thought of up to the time.

i now know a lookup dash would have done exactly what i didn't want to have
happen.  hmm - wonder what's special about lookup dash to find free
records, and whether that might cause freechain woes (as mentioned in
another thread).  

best regards .mitch theophila/MGT Computer Solutions