Hi again jkpd2000,
The value is actually stored internally to the workbook, but is nevertheless accessible without having to open the workbook. For example, if you right-click on the workbook file in the file explorer and select Properties, then go to the Custom tab, you will see the new Version Number custom property displayed there.
There used to be an Office Find File utility that would enable one to search for files with certain document property values, but it is no longer provided with Office as a separate utility. This capability has been built into the Office application (including Word, PowerPoint, Access, etc.) Open menu advanced search capability, but will not let you search for Custom property values, only standard built-in DocumentProperty values.
I believe that there is a Windows API routine that also allows you to access the document properties, including custom document properties, without opening the file. One advantage with this is that this would enable certain properties of a file to be accessed even if the file contains macros without having to enable macros because the file is never opened by the application, and this should also make the search very fast.
Damon