I am having the same problem. The problem is that the get object
actually access the workbook, but I can't "activate" the workbook. I
get an error 50290 when I try to do so. Also, in the watch window, the
workbook never appears under application. How do I get it to appear
under there? I mean, the work book is already open, so I can't "open
it" again. This is very frustrating.

A little background, I'm simply trying to have a buttom that says
"populate report." A new report in a NEW instance of the Excel
Application opens and the report is populated in this window. The
problem is that I can get the workbook, but I can't programmatically do
things like "activate" and that's driving me nuts... Glad to hear any
suggestions.