permision denied

To get the next open file handle, you can use FreeFile. The FreeFile function will return an integer with the next file number available.

To see if one is open,

On Error Resume Next
Open FileName For Input As TheOneYouWantToCheck
If Err.Number = 70 Then
   MsgBox "in use"
Else
   Close TheOneYouWantToCheck
End If

I think that works.

Sunny