Applescript with Excel

I am using Applescript to automatically calculate an excel spreadsheet every second, in order to accurately keep time on an hours spreadsheet for work. Here is the command line:

Code:

global iteration_interval
on idle
	tell application "Microsoft Excel"
		try
			calculate
		end try
	end tell
	return iteration_interval
end idle

on run
	set iteration_interval to 1
end run

I am running this as an application, and it works for what I need it to, but it is sloppy for a few reasons.

I want the application to open the file called “Hours.xlsm” when I open the app (which I have called “Runner”). I know I can specify the path to “hours.xlsm”. ie. TaylorJamesesktop:OG:Hours. That is sloppy, because I want to be able to move the file around, share, etc., and have the application search for it and open it wherever it is stored. Maybe I can even store the spreadsheet within the application resource contents?

The next problem is this. When the application “Runner” is operating, I cannot work in any cell in the spreadsheet, or any other spreadsheet for that matter, because obviously it is calculating every second. Can I specify the cells that it calculates, or at least the spreadsheet? Maybe I’m asking too much or maybe I should use a more robust programming tool. Applescript, I know, isn’t anything close to Java. Any help so very much appreciated! Regards, Taylor.