Macro to Check for Multiple Instances of Word

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, version 7.0
• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0 and 3.1

SYMPTOMS

You start Word when another instance of Word is already running, but you get no message to that effect.

CAUSE

In Microsoft Windows, if a share program such as SHARE.EXE, VSHARE.386, or any other share utility is in use, multiple instances of the same program can be run at the same time. You cannot configure Word to prevent this from occurring.

RESOLUTION

The follow macro, when named AUTOEXEC, will check to see if any other instances of Word are running and if so, will then give you the option of closing one instance or allowing a new instance.

WARNING: ANY USE BY YOU OF THE CODE PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. Microsoft provides this macro code "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.

1. On the Tools menu, click Macro.

2. In the Macro Name text box, type "AutoExec" (without the quotation marks).

3. Be sure the Macros Available In list box displays NORMAL.DOT.

4. Click the Create button.

5. Type the following macro:

   Sub MAIN
        On Error Goto bye
        Dim ListBox1$(1)
        count = 0
        Text$ = "There is currently another instance of Word for Windows \
   

     size = AppCount() - 1
     Dim winnames$(size)
     AppGetNames winnames$()
     For i = 0 To size
      If InStr(1, winnames$(i), "Microsoft Word") Then
       count = count + 1
       ListBox1$(count - 1) = winnames$(i)
      End If
      If count > 1 Then
       Begin Dialog UserDialog 322, 174, "Microsoft Word"
        OKButton 222, 121, 88, 21
        CancelButton 222, 147, 88, 21
        ListBox 10, 70, 300, 45, ListBox1$(), .ListBox1
        Text 10, 6, 300, 60, text$, .Text1
       End Dialog
       Dim dlg As UserDialog
       If Dialog(dlg) = - 1 Then
        AppClose(ListBox1$(dlg.ListBox1))
       End If
       i = size
      End If
     Next
bye:       '<-- This line MUST be left aligned
    End Sub

1. On the File menu, click Save All, and click Yes when prompted to save changes to the AutoExec macro.

2. Exit Word.