problem: changing a text frame's contents from an outside applicat
 

I am working on a VB6 program that opens xls files "in the background" and
attempts to edit the text in certain text frames. The frames are part of a
group of shapes that is independent of the cells.

I use the following code to edit the frames' text:

xlsGroup.Item(currSubShape).TextFrame.Characters.T ext = txtSheet

whe xlsGroup is the group of shapes; currSubShape is the index of the
shape with the desired text frame and; txtSheet is a string variable
containing the new text.

I get Run Time Error 1004: Unable to set the text property of the characters
class.

My group and its constituent shapes are not locked, and there is no text
lock on the text frame.

Yes, its driving me crazy! Any enlightmentment will be vastly appreciated!