Microsoft KB Archive/159794

= XL97: Cannot Programmatically Close Referenced Workbook =

Article ID: 159794

Article Last Modified on 11/23/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q159794





SYMPTOMS
When you set an object variable to a workbook that references another workbook, you may be unable to programmatically close the referenced workbook even when the workbook containing the reference is closed. You may receive the error:

Run-time error '1004':

This workbook is currently referenced by another workbook and

cannot be closed.

For example, if Book2.xls contains a reference to Book1.xls, then the following macro produces the error when the macro attempts to close Book1.xls: Sub OpenClose Dim wb1, wb2

'Open the workbooks and set the object variables Set wb1 = Workbooks.Open("Book1.xls") Set wb2 = Workbooks.Open("Book2.xls")

'Close both workbooks wb2.close wb1.close     '  This line produces the error

End Sub



CAUSE
This behavior occurs if the object variable is still set to the workbook that contains the reference to the workbook you are trying to close.

You cannot close a workbook in Microsoft Excel 97 while that workbook is referenced by another open workbook or by an object variable that is set to the referenced workbook.

This is behavior by design of Microsoft Excel.



RESOLUTION
To correct this problem, set the object variable for the workbook that contains the reference to Nothing prior to closing the referenced workbook. By setting the object variable to Nothing, it no longer refers to the workbook. The macro below demonstrates how to set the object variable to Nothing so that the referenced workbook can be closed programmatically: Sub OpenClose Dim wb1, wb2

'Open the workbooks and set the object variables Set wb1 = Workbooks.Open("Book1.xls") Set wb2 = Workbooks.Open("Book2.xls")

'Close book2 wb2.close

'Set the object variable wb2 to Nothing Set wb2 = Nothing

'Close book1 wb1.close

End Sub



MORE INFORMATION
Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

https://partner.microsoft.com/global/30000104

For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

Additional query words: XL97 8.00

Keywords: kbdtacode kbprogramming KB159794

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