If you work in a team, there are times when more than one person tries to use a file. Maybe your line manager is checking a piece of information in a workbook, whilst at the same time you are trying to rename the file. When you’re running files manually, it normally provides a reasonable warning message, but if you’re trying to do this with a macro you will probably receive this type of error:
If other users will be using your macro, chances are that they will have no idea what this error means. The code below will check to see if the file is already open by you, or another user. If it is open, or un-editable for any reason, you will be able to stop the macro from running or display a meaningful error message to the user.
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The function has 3 possible results:
- True = The file is already open
- False = The file is currently closed
- [Error Number] = Something else has gone wrong, so the error number is returned.
Function IsFileOpen(fileName As String) Dim fileNum As Integer Dim errNum As Integer 'Allow all errors to happen On Error Resume Next fileNum = FreeFile() 'Try to open and close the file for input. 'Errors mean the file is already open Open fileName For Input Lock Read As #fileNum Close fileNum 'Get the error number errNum = Err 'Do not allow errors to happen On Error GoTo 0 'Check the Error Number Select Case errNum 'errNum = 0 means no errors, therefore file closed Case 0 IsFileOpen = False 'errNum = 70 means the file is already open Case 70 IsFileOpen = True 'Something else went wrong Case Else IsFileOpen = errNum End Select End Function
Remember: Functions must be placed into a Module to work correctly.
The following procedure shows how to call the above function.
Sub CheckIfFileOpen() Dim fileName As String fileName = "C:\Users\marks\Documents\Already Open.xlsx" 'Call function to check if the file is open If IsFileOpen(fileName) = False Then 'Insert actions to be performed on the closed file Else 'The file is open or another error occurred MsgBox fileName & " is already open." End If End Sub
Don’t forget:
If you’ve found this post useful, or if you have a better approach, then please leave a comment below.
Do you need help adapting this to your needs?
I’m guessing the examples in this post didn’t exactly meet your situation. We all use Excel differently, so it’s impossible to write a post that will meet everybody’s needs. By taking the time to understand the techniques and principles in this post (and elsewhere on this site) you should be able to adapt it to your needs.
But, if you’re still struggling you should:
- Read other blogs, or watch YouTube videos on the same topic. You will benefit much more by discovering your own solutions.
- Ask the ‘Excel Ninja’ in your office. It’s amazing what things other people know.
- Ask a question in a forum like Mr Excel, or the Microsoft Answers Community. Remember, the people on these forums are generally giving their time for free. So take care to craft your question, make sure it’s clear and concise. List all the things you’ve tried, and provide screenshots, code segments and example workbooks.
- Use Excel Rescue, who are my consultancy partner. They help by providing solutions to smaller Excel problems.
What next?
Don’t go yet, there is plenty more to learn on Excel Off The Grid. Check out the latest posts:
It’s possible tha name of the user if the file is open?
Not using the VBA method I share above.
There is another technique which Ryan Wells has written about, which might help:
https://wellsr.com/vba/2018/excel/find-out-who-has-excel-file-locked-for-editing-with-vba/
You should add error code 53. This will show up if the file doesn’t exist.