It's possible to read data from a closed Excel file using ADO and no doubt
other database techniques. I've never used ADO except to play around with
it years ago. It may be overkill depending on your needs but you can find a
lot of articles on it if you search the MSKB on "ADO", for example:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...73&Product=xlw

For my needs, open, copy, paste, close, works super<g.

--
Jim Rech
Excel MVP