Before I kick off a process I need to know if there is an instance of Microsoft Excel already running. If there is I want to inform the user to shut it down before proceeding.

I was thinking that GETOBJECT(,"Excel.application") might be a good way but while testing, my session of VFP locked up. Is there a Windows API that cand do this? Again, I am testing upfront as a precautionary measure, I have no desire to use an existing Excel reference - just want to have the user start with a clean slate.