Excel VBA: Can I query external excel without opening the target file? - vba

Question

I want to omit the line ".Open" below but it said "Operation is not allowed when the object is closed", are there any methods to query the file without opening it?
Set cn = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
With cn
.Provider = "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0"
.ConnectionString = "Data Source=" & "C:\data.xls" & ";" & _
"Extended Properties=""Excel 12.0 Xml;HDR=YES"";"
.Open
End With
Set rs = cn.Execute("SQL statement here")

Answer 1

You open a connection, not the file itself.
Thus, it is really what you need.
Try the following and see that the file is not opened:
Option Explicit
Public Sub TestMe()
Dim cn As Object
Dim rs As Object
Set cn = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
With cn
.Provider = "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0"
.ConnectionString = "Data Source=" & "C:\DB.xlsm" & ";" & _
"Extended Properties=""Excel 12.0 Xml;HDR=YES"";"
.Open
End With
Set rs = cn.Execute("SELECT * FROM [Sheet1$]")
Do Until rs.EOF
Debug.Print rs.Fields.Item(1), rs.Fields.Item(2)
rs.MoveNext
Loop
'cn.Close <- you need this only if you work with some crazy guys, who do not
'understand the open-close principle
End Sub
If the file is shared between many users, then a ReadOnly permission of the connection (simply change the ConnectionString as shown) can be used:
With cn
.Provider = "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0"
.ConnectionString = "Data Source=" & "C:\DB.xlsm" & ";" & _
"Extended Properties=""Excel 12.0 Xml;HDR=YES application intent=ReadOnly"";"
.Open
End With