I think this node might help you.

You need to try to get the active object before you try to start another Excel instance. 

my $Excel = Win32::OLE->GetActiveObject('Excel.Application')
        || Win32::OLE->new('Excel.Application', 'Quit');

[download]

In reply to Re: Windows; If (2003) MS Word or Excel are already executing? by tokpela
in thread Windows; If (2003) MS Word or Excel are already executing? by gibsonca

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