http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=138621
XL: Macro Code to Check Whether a File Is Already Open

http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=291295
XL2002: Macro Code to Check Whether a File Is Already Open

http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=213383
XL2000: Macro Code to Check Whether a File Is Already Open

http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=184982
WD97: VBA Function to Check If File or Document Is Open


Should give you some ideas.

--
Regards,
Tom Ogilvy

"Kamal Hussain" wrote in message
...
I am trying to write a sub routine when checks to see if
an excel spreadsheet is already opened by someone else on
the network.

Basically, I need to update a "summary" spreadsheet with
data ... but it is often open and being view by others ..
so i need to check if it is indeed being read and halt the
update.

hope someone can help

thanks