Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 9, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Sub SaveNameFiles() Dim sName As String Dim sFile As String Open "c:/names.txt" For Input As #5 On Error Resume Next Do While Not EOF(5) ' get the name Line Input #5, sName sFile = sName & ".doc" sFile = "c:\mypath\" & sFile ActiveWindow.ActivePane.View.SeekView = _ wdSeekCurrentPageHeader Selection.WholeStory Selection.Delete Selection.TypeText Text:=sName ActiveWindow.ActivePane.View.SeekView = _ wdSeekMainDocument ActiveDocument.SaveAs FileName:=sFile Loop Close #5 ActiveWindow.ActivePane.View.SeekView = _ wdSeekCurrentPageHeader Selection.WholeStory Selection.Delete ActiveWindow.ActivePane.View.SeekView = _ wdSeekMainDocument End SubThe tricky part of the macro is using the .SeekView property to specify which story in the document you want to work with. As implemented here, the .SeekView property is used repeatedly to switch between the header area and the main document. Note, as well, that the sFile variable specifies the name of the file in which the personalized document will be saved. Right after the name is grabbed from the text file, the sFile variable is constructed by adding the .doc file extension and the path to the front of the file name. (You should change the path to one that is appropriate for your system.) The actual save operation is relatively easy; the .SaveAs method is used with a filename. This is the most error-prone line of code in the macro, since one of the names read from the file could include characters that are inappropriate for valid filenames. If this is the case, an error is generated and the macro continues with the next line. The document, however, will not be saved under the offending name. After the loop (grabbing names and saving) is completed, the header area is cleared and the .SeekView is switched back to the main document.
Note:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (195) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Saving Personalized Copies of a Document.
Do More in Less Time! Are you ready to harness the full power of Word 2013 to create professional documents? In this comprehensive guide you'll learn the skills and techniques for efficiently building the documents you need for your professional and your personal life. Check out Word 2013 In Depth today!
Having trouble getting Word to save your AutoRecover documents? Don't turn the feature off; try the techniques described ...
Discover MoreGot a bunch of text that you've imported from a text file? Need to make it look better? You can take a stab at it with ...
Discover MoreDouble-click a Word document on your desktop, and you expect Word to spring into action and load the document. What if ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments