Hi
Use the fact that adding the key, if it is already there, creates an
error

On Error Resume Next
'maybe want a loop here?
err.clear
c.add 1, "dogs"
if error.number<0 then
temp = c.item("dogs")+1
c.remove "dogs"
c.add temp, "dogs"
end if
'next
on error goto 0

Above is untested. I don't THINK the first add will actually do the add
if an error is generated...
Err.clear is required to catch the error each time. Err also exists as
long as the application is open, so it is always a good idea to clear
it if using error.number<0

regards
Paul