I would like to be able to create an .xls document on my computer that
does 1 of 2 things (both would achieve the same result, i just dont
know which one would be better, or how to do either)

GOAL: get data from a spreadsheet (that is saved on the company
server) and have it populate in a combo box (on a userform) on the xls
document that is saved on my computer.

method 1) create a macro that opens up the external xls data, copies
it to the local spreadsheet and then closes the external spreadsheet.

method 2) create some sort of a lookup function that dynamically pulls
from that external xls document without the need to do a crazy import
macro.

That "external xls document" is a file that gets changed automatically
(daily) from an outside company and they just dump the xls file on our
server for our reference. this xls document contains about 15 columns
and anywhere from 150 to 300 rows on any given day.

I want to be able to have the combo box in my userform (on the xls
file saved on my computer) dynamically display the contents of column
A from the xls file located on the server.

Is this possible with out too much brain damage??