This is not a task that I've done myself. But my understanding is that the best way to retrieve read-only data (such as that for a listbox) is to use a Passthru query. The reason reported is that the passthru sends the query beyond Jet to the SQL Server to do the work. SQL Server does the work (finds the appropriate records and sorts them) and passes back only the information needed. Jet does not slow down the process by having the local computer do any work. This is espeically effective if you only return the data needed. (I.e. DON'T use "*" as one of the fields in your query!)
Randall J Weers
Membership Vice President
Pacific NorthWest Access Developers Group
http://www.pnwadg.org