A010 referencing a file field before the READ in 11.6

Compat mode 11.6. Program used to load a key into a file field, then POINT/READ. Now A010 INVALID FILE REFERENCE before any read happens.

Broadcom note says files must be open / have an active record. Work around?

Put the key in working storage (W field), then POINT/READ using that. Do not poke values into the file buffer before there is an active record.

11.6 got stricter about this even under compatibility mode at execution time.