Custom file attributes (VB6, WIN2K)

[MattK]

Is it possible to access MS Office custom file properties via VB without having to create an instance of the relevant Office application through automation? I've dug up some shell code on the web that displays the file properties dialog, but can't find anything that will allow me to access individual file attributes via the shell/API calls.

[HansV]

You can download a DLL from <!mskb=224351>Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 224351<!/mskb> that enables you to read document properties from Office documents without actually opening the document. The download comes with a sample VB project to illustrate its use.