a .xls is a workbook file but in order to get the file to open you need to set an object with the application first then the active workbook next. the open command is part of the workbook object. If you want to open a direct link to the file try this

* Open the file
loExcel = GetObject(lcFileName)

* Show the Application
loExcel.Parent.Visible = .T.


the one I gave you before and this one do the same thing only the before one goes from app to workbook this one goes for workbook object to application

Thanks
Darren Mc Dowell