I need to open multiple excel files through my code in VB. Does a
quicker runtime result from opening up one instance of excel and then 5
workbooks in that application as opposed to opening 5 applications of
excel?

e.g.

public xlApp as excel.application
public xlBook as excel.workbook
public xlBook2 as excel.workbook
public xlBook3 as excel.workbook
public xlBook4 as excel.workbook
public xlBook5 as excel.workbook

vs.

public xlApp as excel.application
public xlApp2 as excel.application
public xlApp3 as excel.application
public xlApp4 as excel.application
public xlApp5 as excel.application

Thanks,

Nick