This may be helpful to you. Query the spreadsheet and return the name
property of the indexed sheet you would like to use.

http://weblogs.asp.net/donxml/archiv.../21/24908.aspx

Masa Ito wrote:
I am using OLEDB in vb.net, and processing Excel files where I need to
refer to a specific sheet number. I don't know the name of the sheet. I
have tried:
SELECT * FROM [Sheet2$]
SELECT * FROM [Sheet2]
...

Sheet2 has a 'name' - but I don't know it. I am using a standard
connection string:
Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=c:\test.xls;Extended
Properties=""Excel 8.0;HDR=Yes""

I can easily read from Sheet1 with:
SELECT * FROM [Sheet1$]
because it is actually named Sheet1. If I rename Sheet2, or open it and
find it's name, it is easy - but I need to find a way that will handle the
thousands of files (and tons more coming). Does anyone have any tips? I
was hoping to avoid the expensive COM plugins etc.

btw - I found this to be very helpful -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316934/en-us
but it didn't give me my answer. If anything, it makes me think that it
isn't possible unless I know the exact cell range (which I don't)

Thanks!