sparks was thinking very hard :
it runs but like I said I only get xls type of output so I don't know
if 2003 or 2007 is running...how do I tell?

Set oExcel = CreateObject("Excel.Application")

If oExcel.Version < 12 Then '//it's 2003 or earlier
'process as early
Else '//it's 2007 or later
'process as latest
End If

Why do you need the path? The OS knows which Excel version to run!

--
Garry

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