I have not really looked in to it, but is there anyway to use files
that are in a zip file or other type of *.data file (EXT would only
hide the format) and use them in Excel?

I am interested in zipping up a folder of 700+ picture files that are
used with one of my programs. I would like to get these, as well as
maybe a static record set to be in there as well to limit the
availablity of viewing to users.

Does anyone have a link or some resource they could point me to?