🚀 go-pugleaf

I'll post this answer in case anyone is interested, even if I have answered
the question myself.

This code uses a C++Builder4 form and fills a Listbox with data from a excel
spreadsheet using: Adodb, Microsoft Jet4.0.
(NO BDE Required)

Obviously you have already imported the respective activeX type libraries
and included them in the project.

TCOM_Connection cn = CoConnection::Create();
    WideString S = "Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data
Source=C:\Build1.xls;Extended Properties=Excel 8.0;";
    cn->ConnectionString = S;
    cn->CursorLocation = Adodb_tlb::adUseClient;
    cn->ConnectionTimeout = 100;
    cn->Open(0,0,0,0);
    WideString sql = "SELECT * from [TOTAL$]" ;
    ListBox1->Items->Clear();
    TCOM_Recordset rs = CoRecordset::Create();
    rs->Open(sql.Detach(), (IDispatch *)cn, Adodb_tlb::adOpenDynamic,
Adodb_tlb::adLockOptimistic, 0);
    do
    {
       Field* p = rs->Fields_->get_Item(TVariant("CITY"));
       String s =  p->get_Value();
       ListBox1->Items->Add(s);
       rs->MoveNext();

    }while(rs->EOF == false);

    rs->Close();
    rs->Release();
    cn->Close();
    cn->Release();

regards Shaun