Import spreadsheet formatting error

[Stuartp]

I am using some VBA code to import a spreadsheet into a database, which is:

DoCmd.TransferSpreadsheet acImport, acSpreadsheetTypeExcel3, "DebtCollectionS", "c:\access\DebtCollectionS.xls", True

If the spreadsheet in question is open then it works fine. However if it is not open then I get the error:

Run-time error 3274 - external table is not in the expected format

I have tried changing Excel3 to Excel9 which is the version I use, but still to no avail.

I'd really appreciate it if someone could help me solve this one!

Thanks

Stuart