Is there a way to script an object that will read say cells a1-a3 in an excel .xls and have them written in plain text on the desk top without actually opening excel ? I'm looking for a way to create 26 objects one for a-z and line them up along a vert bar so i can quickly look up a contact name and phone number for all contacts with the last name "A something" then a second for "B something" without opening the Alist.xls or Blist.xls (i.e. 26 diff spreadsheets)

I'm pretty dumb about scripting but i can usually stumble my way thru cloning one example or modifying existing script.

Thanx