thanks for the response linush! 1. is there a reason not to use EG?  i have no preference; this is an existing EG i've inherited.  the data from the EG is copied into an excel dashboard.  i want to automate this so that the users who have access to the excel dashboard can refresh the data.  users who want this information, want it periodically and are not SAS people either.  2. i haven't tried this before.  i'll can look into  it.  ... View more