Dave:

It's possible your suggestion may be necessary, but in this case I'm
linking to some local htm files. I'm using just the filename in the
formula, and setting the base url from File|Properties Hyperlink Base
text box. So the base URL looks like this:

file://H:\WIP\Sothebys scrape on MPX at RPM workbench (Mpx)
\Sothebys get lotDetailPages_3\13\2007 6_51_15 PM\Get

and the file name looks like this:

LotDetail.htm_lot_id(eq)3BB6N.htm

(I know -- ugly -- but rather than simplify it and lose the flavor of
a real link, I've presented it in native form).

The fully qualified URL is the contatenation of the two pieces (with a
'\' in between).

-- Roy