Rob

The following (down to the ************)  is your sql in a batch update format. You need to paste this into notepad and save it with an xml extension in the batch update folder. The title, path and description need to be edited to what you need. I think though there may be problems with your sql as it will not run. I am not sure if all the joins are complete and it looks like the set satement is missing some commas.  I haven't attempted a fix of your sql as the format you have used for the update  is not  one I am familiar with so I have attempted my own version which is below the ************. Hope this helps.   

Mike
 
<?xml version="1.0" ?>
<batchupdate menupath="My Path" description=""
title="My Title"
>
<SQL>

<Where keytype="Default">

UPDATE     TAXON_OCCURRENCE AS TOCC INNER JOIN
                          TAXON_DETERMINATION AS TDET ON
                        TOCC.TAXON_OCCURRENCE_KEY = TDET.TAXON_OCCURRENCE_KEY
                        INNER JOIN
                          TAXON_DESIGNATION AS TDES INNER JOIN
                          INDEX_TAXON_NAME AS ITN ON
                        TDES.TAXON_LIST_ITEM_KEY = ITN.TAXON_LIST_ITEM_KEY INNER JOIN
                          INDEX_TAXON_NAME AS ITN1 ON
                        ITN.RECOMMENDED_TAXON_LIST_ITEM_KEY =
                        ITN1.RECOMMENDED_TAXON_LIST_ITEM_KEY ON
                          TDET.TAXON_LIST_ITEM_KEY = ITN1.TAXON_LIST_ITEM_KEY
SET         TOCC.CONFIDENTIAL = 1
                TOCC.CHANGED_BY = (SELECT NAME_KEY FROM NAME WHERE
                              <Condition field="Name.Name_Key" type="CurrentUserID"
                                 name="Current User ID"     operator="equal" /> )
                TOCC.CHANGED_DATE = GETDATE()
WHERE         (TDES.TAXON_DESIGNATION_TYPE_KEY = 'DSS0062800000003')

</Where>

</SQL>
</batchupdate>

*************** MY VERSION

<?xml version="1.0" ?>
<batchupdate menupath="My Path" description=""
title="My Title"
>
<SQL>

<Where keytype="Default">

UPDATE     TAXON_OCCURRENCE
SET     CONFIDENTIAL = 1,
    CHANGED_BY = (SELECT NAME_KEY FROM NAME WHERE
                  <Condition field="Name.Name_Key" type="CurrentUserID"
                             name="Current User ID"     operator="equal" /> ),
     CHANGED_DATE = GETDATE()

FROM
        TAXON_OCCURRENCE TOCC INNER JOIN
                          TAXON_DETERMINATION TDET
                        ON TOCC.TAXON_OCCURRENCE_KEY = TDET.TAXON_OCCURRENCE_KEY AND TDET.PREFERRED = 1
                        INNER JOIN
                        INDEX_TAXON_NAME ITN1
                        ON TDET.TAXON_LIST_ITEM_KEY = ITN1.TAXON_LIST_ITEM_KEY
                          INNER JOIN
            INDEX_TAXON_NAME ITN
                        ON ITN.RECOMMENDED_TAXON_LIST_ITEM_KEY = ITN1.RECOMMENDED_TAXON_LIST_ITEM_KEY
            INNER JOIN
            TAXON_DESIGNATION TDES
                        ON TDES.TAXON_LIST_ITEM_KEY = ITN.TAXON_LIST_ITEM_KEY
                                         
WHERE         TDES.TAXON_DESIGNATION_TYPE_KEY = 'DSS0062800000003'

</Where>

This looks to be a great method for automatically setting the confidential flag for a long list of sensitive species.  However, am I correct in thinking that the local taxon designations would be overwritten by a dictionary update?