Retrieve the Path of a File open by an EXE !!

Is there a way of getting the qualified name (ie full path + name) of a file that is currently open by an foreign application without using Automation.

So for example, let's say a running instance of Excel has a workbook open. How can I get ,from my VB application, the full path of this WorkBook file ?

As I said , I don't want to use Automation with which I could easily use the VB GetObject function .This is because I need this for other applications that do not support Automation.

I assume this could be solved via some API programming..well I hope so :)

Hope this make sense.

Any takers.

In general, it isn't possible.

Many programs open files but do not lock them, they just load the data at one point and save it at another.

If the file stays locked then presumably you will be able to track down the application using a few API calls (I don't know which I'm afraid), but are unlikely to be able to do it the other way around.

Why are you wanting to do this?

investigate this decleration:

VB Code:

Public Declare Function GetOpenFileName Lib "comdlg32.dll" Alias "GetOpenFileNameA" (pOpenfilename As OPENFILENAME) As Long
 
Public Type OPENFILENAME
        lStructSize As Long
        hwndOwner As Long
        hInstance As Long
        lpstrFilter As String
        lpstrCustomFilter As String
        nMaxCustFilter As Long
        nFilterIndex As Long
        lpstrFile As String
        nMaxFile As Long
        lpstrFileTitle As String
        nMaxFileTitle As Long
        lpstrInitialDir As String
        lpstrTitle As String
        flags As Long
        nFileOffset As Integer
        nFileExtension As Integer
        lpstrDefExt As String
        lCustData As Long
        lpfnHook As Long
        lpTemplateName As String
End Type

i've never used it though, but i have read about it a little.

That is used to show the "Open" common dialog I'm afraid. ;)

lol, i doubt it helped then.