Is it possible to read an Excel file with ADO if the file is allready opened
by someone(for editing)? I think that it should be possible to open the file
as read only but I keep getting the error:

The Microsoft Jet database engine cannot open the file ''. It is already
opened exclusively by another user, or you need permission to view its data.

I am running the (javascript asp) code below on an intranet server. The
server reads an Excel file on a file server to extract information.
Everything works fine unless some user has the file open.

I know that this error may occur when there are file permissions errors for
in IUSR_computerName user but I am pretty sure I do not have these problems.
The errors occur on the line below with conn.Open(). Is there any way I have
not used that I can instruct JET OLEDB to open the file as read only. (except
for conn.Mode = adModeRead that does not appear to do what I expect it to, to
be able to read an open file)

My code is as follows:

var resRS = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Recordset");
resRS.CursorType = adOpenKeyset;
resRS.CursorLocation = adUseClient;
resRS.LockType = adLockReadOnly;

var conn = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection");
connString = "Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=";
connString += "\\\\OtherMachine\\Temp\\test.xls" + ";Extended
Properties='Excel 8.0;IMEX=1';";
conn.Mode = adModeRead;

// This line generates the error
conn.Open(connString);

var sql = "SELECT MyName, MyValue FROM [Summary$]";
resRS.Open(sql, conn);

Any help most appreciated. Maybe this is something that just cannot be done.

Best regards,

Andreas Stansvik
Software Developer