If it is ever selected, it doesn't stay in the selected state once the script completes. I was looking for a way to set this state in the code - I would think 'select' would be something that would apply to existing objects(?) As far as the Legend goes, it's pretty flaky. If you programmatically set the map frame, it works in the properties but does not add any layers from the frame to the existing legend. But if you add just one layer to the legend manually (drag it in the TOC) when the frame is set to None, then when you set the map frame all of the layers in the frame are added. I'm just trying to persist the settings of these elements with the user's content. There may be a better way but I haven't found it (?) Thanks Dan - cob