XL: How to Close All Workbooks but One with Visual Basic Macro

This article explains how to create a Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications macro (Sub procedure) that closes all other workbooks when you open a particular workbook.

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers 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 requirements. To close all other workbooks when you open a particular workbook, follow these steps:

1. Create a new workbook and name it Closetst.xls.
2. Copy the following Sub procedure into a new module sheet:

         Sub Auto_Open()
             ' This sub will close all workbooks
             ' except the workbook in which the code is located.
             Dim WkbkName As Object
   
             On Error GoTo Close_Error
             Application.ScreenUpdating = False
   
             For Each WkbkName In Application.Workbooks()
                 If WkbkName.Name <> ThisWorkbook.Name Then WkbkName.Close
             Next
   
             ' If everything runs all right, exit the sub.
             Exit Sub
   
         ' Error handler.
         Close_Error:
             MsgBox Str(Err) & " " & Error()
             Resume Next
         End Sub
   						

3. Save the workbook and close it.
4. Open several workbooks other than Closetst.xls.
5. Open Closetst.xls. Note that the Auto_Open Sub procedure runs and closes all workbooks except for Closetst.xls.

For additional information about getting help with Visual Basic for Applications, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: