Does anyone a good coding technique of discovering background running Excel apps, those ones that are invisble and can be seen in the task manager?
![]() |
Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
SIGN IN | Not a member? | REGISTER | PLUS MEMBERSHIP |
-
Discovering background EXCEL running (Excel 2000)
Home » Forums » AskWoody support » Productivity software by function » MS Excel and spreadsheet help » Discovering background EXCEL running (Excel 2000)
- This topic has 6 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 21 years, 3 months ago.
AuthorTopicWSJim Bassett
AskWoody LoungerFebruary 4, 2004 at 7:31 pm #400199Viewing 5 reply threadsAuthorReplies-
WSunkamunka
AskWoody LoungerFebruary 4, 2004 at 8:02 pm #778973Thanks to Kevin, I came across Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 187913 some time ago. While, I have used it for a 3rd party app, it should be adaptable for Excel also. HTH
-
WSunkamunka
AskWoody LoungerFebruary 4, 2004 at 8:02 pm #778974Thanks to Kevin, I came across Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 187913 some time ago. While, I have used it for a 3rd party app, it should be adaptable for Excel also. HTH
-
WSBrooke
AskWoody LoungerFebruary 6, 2004 at 3:59 pm #779884Not a coding method for vba as such, but if Unkamunka’s solution doesn’t work for you, this came up somewhere else very recently (VB/VBA forum?) Paste the following code into notepad and save it as “check_Excel.vbs” to your desktop. double clicking will run the file – as long as vbs scripting is enabled. the method is courtesy of Rob Bruce. Note that it will also grab visible instances.
FWIW I now have one for word, access, powerpoint and excel on my desktop.
‘################################## CODE START
‘ XLcheck.vbs
‘ Find an invisible instance of Excel
‘ from Rob Bruce (http://www.rb-ad.dircon.co.uk)Dim objXL, strMessage
On Error Resume Next
‘ Try to grab a running instance of Excel:
Set objXL = GetObject(, “Excel.Application”)‘ What have we found?
If Not TypeName(objXL) = “Empty” Then
strMessage = “Excel Running.”
Else
strMessage = “Excel Not Running.”
End If‘ Feedback to user…
MsgBox strMessage, vbInformation, “Excel Status”‘ Make it show so we can kill it
if strMessage = “Excel Running.” then objXL.Visible = true‘ End of VBS code
‘########################### CODE END -
WSBrooke
AskWoody LoungerFebruary 6, 2004 at 3:59 pm #779885Not a coding method for vba as such, but if Unkamunka’s solution doesn’t work for you, this came up somewhere else very recently (VB/VBA forum?) Paste the following code into notepad and save it as “check_Excel.vbs” to your desktop. double clicking will run the file – as long as vbs scripting is enabled. the method is courtesy of Rob Bruce. Note that it will also grab visible instances.
FWIW I now have one for word, access, powerpoint and excel on my desktop.
‘################################## CODE START
‘ XLcheck.vbs
‘ Find an invisible instance of Excel
‘ from Rob Bruce (http://www.rb-ad.dircon.co.uk)Dim objXL, strMessage
On Error Resume Next
‘ Try to grab a running instance of Excel:
Set objXL = GetObject(, “Excel.Application”)‘ What have we found?
If Not TypeName(objXL) = “Empty” Then
strMessage = “Excel Running.”
Else
strMessage = “Excel Not Running.”
End If‘ Feedback to user…
MsgBox strMessage, vbInformation, “Excel Status”‘ Make it show so we can kill it
if strMessage = “Excel Running.” then objXL.Visible = true‘ End of VBS code
‘########################### CODE END -
WSpieterse
AskWoody LoungerFebruary 6, 2004 at 6:04 pm #779974From this site:
I copied this code:
Option Explicit '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ' Copyright
-
WSpieterse
AskWoody LoungerFebruary 6, 2004 at 6:04 pm #779975From this site:
I copied this code:
Option Explicit '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ' Copyright
Viewing 5 reply threads -

Plus Membership
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments.
Get Plus!
Welcome to our unique respite from the madness.
It's easy to post questions about Windows 11, Windows 10, Win8.1, Win7, Surface, Office, or browse through our Forums. Post anonymously or register for greater privileges. Keep it civil, please: Decorous Lounge rules strictly enforced. Questions? Contact Customer Support.
Search Newsletters
Search Forums
View the Forum
Search for Topics
Recent Topics
-
A CVE-MITRE-CISA-CNA Extravaganza
by
Nibbled To Death By Ducks
37 minutes ago -
Sometimes I wonder about these bots
by
Susan Bradley
7 hours, 30 minutes ago -
Does windows update component store “self heal”?
by
Mike Cross
13 hours, 34 minutes ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 27858 released to Canary
by
joep517
14 hours, 35 minutes ago -
Pwn2Own Berlin 2025: Day One Results
by
Alex5723
14 hours ago -
Windows 10 might repeatedly display the BitLocker recovery screen at startup
by
Susan Bradley
10 hours, 30 minutes ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22631.5409 (23H2) released to Release Preview
by
joep517
17 hours, 16 minutes ago -
Windows 10 Build 19045.5912 (22H2) to Release Preview Channel
by
joep517
17 hours, 18 minutes ago -
Kevin Beaumont on Microsoft Recall
by
Susan Bradley
5 hours, 52 minutes ago -
The Surface Laptop Studio 2 is no longer being manufactured
by
Alex5723
1 day, 1 hour ago -
0Patch, where to begin
by
cassel23
19 hours, 27 minutes ago -
CFPB Quietly Kills Rule to Shield Americans From Data Brokers
by
Alex5723
1 day, 15 hours ago -
89 million Steam account details just got leaked,
by
Alex5723
1 day, 2 hours ago -
KB5058405: Linux – Windows dual boot SBAT bug, resolved with May 2025 update
by
Alex5723
1 day, 23 hours ago -
A Validation (were one needed) of Prudent Patching
by
Nibbled To Death By Ducks
1 day, 14 hours ago -
Master Patch Listing for May 13, 2025
by
Susan Bradley
1 day, 1 hour ago -
Installer program can’t read my registry
by
Peobody
8 hours, 23 minutes ago -
How to keep Outlook (new) in off position for Windows 11
by
EspressoWillie
1 day, 12 hours ago -
Intel : CVE-2024-45332, CVE-2024-43420, CVE-2025-20623
by
Alex5723
1 day, 19 hours ago -
False error message from eMClient
by
WSSebastian42
2 days, 10 hours ago -
Awoke to a rebooted Mac (crashed?)
by
rebop2020
2 days, 19 hours ago -
Office 2021 Perpetual for Mac
by
rebop2020
2 days, 21 hours ago -
AutoSave is for Microsoft, not for you
by
Will Fastie
7 hours, 39 minutes ago -
Difface : Reconstruction of 3D Human Facial Images from DNA Sequence
by
Alex5723
3 days ago -
Seven things we learned from WhatsApp vs. NSO Group spyware lawsuit
by
Alex5723
7 hours, 58 minutes ago -
Outdated Laptop
by
jdamkeene
3 days, 5 hours ago -
Updating Keepass2Android
by
CBFPD-Chief115
3 days, 11 hours ago -
Another big Microsoft layoff
by
Charlie
3 days, 11 hours ago -
PowerShell to detect NPU – Testers Needed
by
RetiredGeek
13 hours, 11 minutes ago -
May 2025 updates are out
by
Susan Bradley
14 hours, 53 minutes ago
Recent blog posts
Key Links
Want to Advertise in the free newsletter? How about a gift subscription in honor of a birthday? Send an email to sb@askwoody.com to ask how.
Mastodon profile for DefConPatch
Mastodon profile for AskWoody
Home • About • FAQ • Posts & Privacy • Forums • My Account
Register • Free Newsletter • Plus Membership • Gift Certificates • MS-DEFCON Alerts
Copyright ©2004-2025 by AskWoody Tech LLC. All Rights Reserved.