XL: How to Create Macro That Opens Multiple Selected Files

ID: Q141574

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SUMMARY

In the Open dialog box in Microsoft Excel, you can select more than one file to be opened at a time. If you are using Visual Basic for Applications in conjunction with the GetOpenFileName method, you must use a macro to loop through the selected files to open them.

MORE INFORMATION

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 the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/

Visual Basic Code Example

1. In a new workbook, insert a module, and enter the following code:

   Sub loopyarray()

   Dim filenames As Variant

   ' set the array to a variable and the True is for multi-select
   filenames = Application.GetOpenFilename(, , , , True)

      counter = 1

      ' ubound determines how many items in the array
      While counter <= UBound(filenames)

         'Opens the selected files
         Workbooks.Open filenames(counter)

         ' displays file name in a message box
         MsgBox filenames(counter)

         'increment counter
         counter = counter + 1

      Wend
   End Sub

2. Run the loopyarray macro.

3. In the Open dialog box, select multiple files to open: to do this,

   press CTRL as you click each file name.

4. Click OK.

As the macro loops through each of the selected files, a message box is displayed stating the path and file name of each file as it is opened.

REFERENCES

"Visual Basic User's Guide," version 5.0, pages 129-137

Additional query words: 7.00 8.00 97 vbe xl97

Keywords          : kbprg kbdta kbdtacode xlui KbVBA 
Version           : WINDOWS:7.0,97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999