In Book3, use a formula like:

=IF('C:\Folder1\[Book1.xls]Sheet1'!$A$1'C:\Folder2\[Book2.xls]Sheet2'!$A$1,"Book1 is greater",
IF('C:\Folder1\[Book1.xls]Sheet1'!$A$1<'C:\Folder2\[Book2.xls]Sheet2'!$A$1,"Book2 is greater", "They
are the same"))

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP


"VC++User" wrote in message
...
I'm using Excel 2003.
I have a book1.xls in C:/folder1/ end book2.xls in C:/folder2. I wish to
compare a indicated range of cells of book2 with book1 and report which is
greater in a new excel file, book3.xls, without open book1.xls and book2.xls.
Can anyone help me, please?
Thanks.