XL2000: Cannot Use New Keyword to Create Workbook Object

If you use the New keyword to create a workbook object using Automation, you may receive the following error message:

To create a Microsoft Excel Workbook object through automation, use the CreateObject function.

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 a Microsoft Certified Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site: The following example illustrates how to create a Microsoft Excel workbook object through automation:

1. Start Microsoft Word 2000.
2. Start the Visual Basic Editor (press ALT+F11).
3. On the Insert menu, click Module.
4. Click References on the Tools menu. Select Microsoft Excel 9.0 Object Library in the Available References list box, and then click OK.
5. Enter the following code into the Visual Basic module:

         Sub WorkAround()
             Dim objXL As Excel.Workbook
   
             ' Create a new Excel workbook.
             Set objXL = CreateObject("excel.sheet")
   
             ' Display the version number of Microsoft Excel.
             MsgBox objXL.Parent.Version
   
             ' Close Microsoft Excel.
             Set objXL = Nothing
         End Sub
   					

6. Run the WorkAround subroutine.

Note that a message box is displayed with the version number of your copy of Microsoft Excel.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

For more information about the CreateObject function, in the Visual Basic Editor, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type createobject in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: