Dim x As String
x = Excel.Workbooks("book1").ReadOnly = True
If x = "True" Then
MsgBox "File is Read Only"
Else
MsgBox "File is available for editing"
End If
this may better suit your needs - adjust the path and filename either
manually of with a variable and the code will tell u if the file is avialable
for editing and the file type does not matter
Sub tst()
Dim myfilename As String
myfilename = "C:\Documents and Settings\1006646\Desktop\26022h.txt"
x = GetAttr(myfilename) And vbReadOnly
If x = 1 Then
MsgBox "file is read only'"
Else: MsgBox "file is avialable for edit"
End If