Update Excel 97 from Access 97

[cft]

I have to display current data to a department as calls are received continually to find out status of refunds. I have opted to display this in an Excel spreadsheet. Problem is the sheet only allows updates when the Access db is "Open". Can the spreadsheet be opened to allow "update-yes" with the db "Closed"? Currently it states that the source is unavailable and displays "REF!" notices in all cells.