| **Navigation:**  [[introduction.htm|Language Reference]] > 13 - Built-in Functions >====== EMPTY (empty a data file) ====== | [[ellipse draw an ellipse .htm|{{btn_prev_n.gif|Previous page}}]][[introduction.htm|{{btn_home_n.gif|Return to chapter overview}}]][[enable re activate dimmed control .htm|{{btn_next_n.gif|Next page}}]] | | || **EMPTY(**//file//**)** {{blk2blue.jpg|blk2blue.jpg}} | **EMPTY** | Deletes all records from a FILE. | | //file// | The label of a FILE. | **EMPTY** deletes all records from the specified //file//. EMPTY requires exclusive access to the file. Therefore, the file must be opened with //access mode// set to 12h (Read/Write Deny All) or 22h (Read/Write Deny Write). **Errors Posted:** | 37 | File Not Open | | 63 | Exclusive Access Required | **Example:** **OPEN(Master,18)     !Open the master file** **EMPTY****(Master)       !and start a new one** **See Also:** [[open open a data structure .htm|OPEN]] [[share open data file for shared access .htm|SHARE]]