I'm no pro, but here are some comments ...

I think you have to open the workbook, but you can make it invisible! The following may help you ...
Code:
Option Explicit
Sub Macro1()
    Dim abook As Workbook
    'Open an existing workbook - you'll need error handling if it is already open!
    Workbooks.Open Filename:="C:\Documents and Settings\guawd1\Desktop\JUNK-TABS-1.xls"
    'The book you just opened is now the Active Workbook - set a handle for it
    Set abook = ActiveWorkbook
    'MsgBox abook.Windows.Count
    'Make the book disappear!
    abook.Windows(1).Visible = False
    'Access something out of the hidden book
    MsgBox abook.Sheets(1).Name & " | " & abook.Sheets(1).Range("A1").Value
    'Close the hidden book
    Application.DisplayAlerts = False
    abook.Close
    Application.DisplayAlerts = True
End Sub
I think you can extract information out of a closed book ... I extracted information into Excel from an Access database without opening the database, but that was a long time ago.

Hey! I just found some old notes. I used DAO. I also found some notes on "Import data from a closed workbook (ADO)". Unfortunately the link to the document seems to be dead now (edc.bizhosting.com/english/adodao.htm). I have a printed copy of it. It's about 50 lines ... too much to type right now ... Try this link:
http://www.mrexcel.com/archive2/30100/34328.htm