WD: Macro to Check for Multiple Instances of Word

ID: Q109836

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SYMPTOMS

If you have one instance of Word running and you start Word again, you have two instances of Word running instead of one as expected.

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

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/

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

   Sub MAIN
      On Error Goto bye
      Dim ListBox1$(1)
      size = AppCount() - 1
      Dim winnames$(size)
      iCount = 0

      Text$ = "There is currently another instance of Word "
      Text$ = Text$ + "for Windows running. Please choose "
      Text$ = Text$ + "the instance you wish to Close or "
      Text$ = Text$ + "choose Cancel to run both instances."
      AppGetNames winnames$()
      For i = 0 To size
         If InStr(1, winnames$(i), "Microsoft Word") Then
            iCount = iCount + 1
            ListBox1$(iCount - 1) = winnames$(i)
         End If
         If iCount > 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

To test the macro, restart Word and then start a second instance of Word. You should receive a dialog box stating there are two instances of Word for Windows running. It will allow you to:

   - Choose one instance to close.

   -or-

   - Choose Cancel to allow both applications to run simultaneously.

Additional query words: copies copy two determine session sessions multiple

Keywords          : kbprg wordnt kbmacroexample ntword word6 word7 word95 word 
Version           : WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: April 9, 1999