Can you use wild cards or variables in a macro LIKE you would in a batch script based on user input? For example, a dialog box requesting the user to enter a number or date and then opening all files on the DESKTOP containing that number?
There's a lot you can do with formulas and macros in Excel. However, the example you are giving is not one of them.

If you could restate the question a little more clearly, like exactly which version of Excel you are using and exactly what are you trying to accomplish?I am using Excel 2003. I have several Excel files NAMED with an ID number and date. I want to combine all the files in 1 table. I will have many groups of files with different ID numbers with the same date.

Another question I have is this. I have written several macros. They all have various steps within them. Can a particular STEP, say deleting a column, be skipped over based on the CONTENT of a cell in the file and have the macro continue with the next procedure? Do I need to label each procedure like this [some label]:. I understand the "On Error Go TO..." Would what I want to do use the same logic?

Any thoughts?