I know you can pull data from a closed WB, like a 3D reference with workbook name and sheet qualified.
You can also check for a file without opening it:
For x = 1 To myBottom 'Loop to validate filenames
myTest = ActiveCell
Filename = myFolder & "\" & ActiveCell
If myTest = "" Then End 'Blank line terminates
'Test for file!
Set fs = Application.FileSearch
With fs
.LookIn = myFolder
.Filename = myTest
'MsgBox CurDir
'MsgBox "Now looking for: " & Filename
If .Execute(SortBy:=msoSortByFileName, _
SortOrder:=msoSortOrderAscending) > 0 Then
'Found file!
ActiveCell.Offset(0, 1).Select
'Mark file as found!
ActiveCell.Value = "Found"
ActiveCell.Offset(0, -1).Select
Else
'File not found!
'MsgBox "CurDir: " & CurDir
Response = MsgBox("Folder: " & myFolder & vbCr & _
vbCr & "File ==> " & myTest & ", was not Found?" & vbCr & vbCr & _
Filename & ", is Missing?" & vbCr & vbCr & _
vbCr & "Note: Hit ""Ctrl - Break"" to abort this search!", _
vbOKOnly, "Missing File!")
'Missing file!
ActiveCell.Offset(0, 1).Select
'Mark file as Missing!
ActiveCell.Value = "Missing"
ActiveCell.Offset(0, -1).Select
End If
End With
ActiveCell.Offset(1, 0).Select
Next x
Or
Private Function FileExists(fTag, fName, fExt) As Boolean
'Custom Sheet Function!
'Standard module code, like: Module1.
'Syntax: =FileExists(,FileName or cell Location,)
'If file is found: Returns TRUE, else FALSE.
Dim myFolder As String
fTag = "C:\"
fExt = ".txt"
myFolder = Dir(fTag & fName & fExt)
'MsgBox fName
'To activate help input: FileExists(,"Help",)
If UCase(fName) = "HELP" Then
MsgBox " Syntax: =FileExists("",FileName,"")" & vbCr & vbCr & _
"Like ==> =FileExists("",Test,"")"
End If
If myFolder <> "" Then
FileExists = True
Else
FileExists = False
End If
End Function
Like you I think it can be done, yet I have never seen it done nor have I found a direct way of doing it?