Basically, i have a workbook that when opened, displays a
userform with three buttons. (I only need the first one.)
When this button is pressed it will open up another excel
application and workbook.

'--------------------------------------------
Private Sub CommandButton1_Click()
Dim xlApp As Object
Set xlApp = CreateObject("excel.application")
xlApp.Visible = True

If Not xlApp Is Nothing Then
xlApp.Workbooks.Open FileName:="C:\test2 - del.xls"
End If

End Sub
'--------------------------------------------

This part works ok in opening Test2 - del.xls in a new
instance of excel.

In this new workbook i cannot open another workbook.

'--------------------------------------------
Private Sub Workbook_Open()
Dim wb As Workbook

Workbooks.Open FileName:="C:\George J.xls"
End Sub
'--------------------------------------------

My original code is more complicated than this but if
anyone can tell me how to get this working i will be
extremely grateful. I am using excel97

thanks
George