Question : Excel 2003 used not 2007

This just happened on code that was working fine for months (code in VBA of Access app)

I have both Excel 2003 (ver 11) and Excel 2007 (ver 12) installed on my
machine and I'm trying to instantiate Excel 12
Because a template is loaded that was made in 2007 and the automation application is 2003 then
a conversion readonly thing happens which is not good
I found the application instance was opening in 2003  (excel 11.0) even if I tell it to open in 12
Despite the version specific progID, ver 11 application is instantiated.

Dim xlApp As Object
Dim xlAppeeF As Object
Set xlApp = CreateObject("Excel.Application.12", "")
Set xlAppeeF = xlApp.Application

Debug.Print xlAppeeF.Version             < returns 11
? CreateObject("Excel.Application.12", "").version  < in Immediate window returns 11

I know both 11 and 12 have the same CSLIDs in the registry and I have changed some default curvers from office 11 to Office 12
No effect

Was early binding but reference was to Office12 excel
I am late binding now so references shouldn't effect it - In fact took out excel reference (which was to 12) - no effect
Google the heck out of this and found little help beyond what I have tried

excel 2003 and 2007 work fine standalone

I need to force automation to use 12 - how?

Answer : Excel 2003 used not 2007

one thing I didn't ry - Diagonose and repair in excel 2007 - took care of problem!
weird though