OleDbConnection opens sheet as read-only in any open Excel Window

Question

If I have multiple Excel windows open, my program will open a read-only sheet in any Excel window. I.e. if I have Test.xlsx open, and a blank sheet in another window (let's say my program wants to write to Test.xlsx); when I do:

OleDbConnection myConn = new OleDbConnection(conn);

myConn.Open();

a read-only copy of Test.xlsx will open in the blank window, and the program will operate on that. Is there a way to ensure that myConn uses the already open Test.xlsx?

If it helps, my conn variable is:

"Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=C:\temp\Test.xlsx;Extended Properties="Excel 8.0;HDR=No""

Answer 1

Privider does not work with the memory content, but with the file. When you specify file in your connection string, it just openes another instance of the file content and it does not know anything about other opened instances.

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Val Mazur Microsoft MVP
http://www.xporttools.net

Answer 2

Do you know of a workaround I can use then?

Answer 3

Hi jpints,

Base on my knowledge, PIA for Excel can handle opened excel instance. 

Best Regards,

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Bob Wu [MSFT]
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