XL98: Cannot Programmatically Close Referenced Workbook (184705)

SYMPTOMS

When you set an object variable to a workbook that references another workbook, you may be unable to programmatically close the referenced workbook even when the workbook that contains the reference is closed. You may receive the follow error message:

Run-time error '1004':
This workbook is currently referenced by another workbook and cannot be closed.

For example, if Book2 contains a reference to Book1, the following macro produces the error when the macro attempts to close Book1:

   Sub OpenClose()
       Dim wb1, wb2

       'Open the workbooks and set the object variables
       Set wb1 = Workbooks.Open("Book1")
       Set wb2 = Workbooks.Open("Book2")

       'Close both workbooks
       wb2.close
       wb1.close      ' ---- This line produces the error

   End Sub

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the object variable is still set to the workbook that contains the reference to the workbook you are trying to close.

You cannot close a workbook in Microsoft Excel 98 while that workbook is referenced by another open workbook or by an object variable that is set to the referenced workbook.

RESOLUTION

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 correct this problem, set the object variable for the workbook that contains the reference to Nothing prior to closing the referenced workbook. By setting the object variable to Nothing, it no longer refers to the workbook. The following sample macro sets the object variable to Nothing so that the referenced workbook can be closed programmatically:

   Sub OpenClose()
       Dim wb1, wb2

       'Open the workbooks and set the object variables
       Set wb1 = Workbooks.Open("Book1")
       Set wb2 = Workbooks.Open("Book2")

       'Close book2
       wb2.close

       'Set the object variable wb2 to Nothing
       Set wb2 = Nothing

       'Close book1
       wb1.close

   End Sub

XL98: Cannot Programmatically Close Referenced Workbook (184705)

SYMPTOMS

CAUSE

RESOLUTION

STATUS