Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Saving Changes when Closing.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 18, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
If you modify a Word document and then close the document, you are asked if you want to save your changes. This is a good feature that helps ensure you don't mistakenly throw away some of your work.
When running a macro, however, you may not want to be bothered with a dialog box asking if you want to save your changes. If the macro modifies a document in some way, and you use the Close method, you are asked if you want to save your changes, just as you are if you manually close a document without saving.
The way to get around this is to use some of the parameters available with the close method. Consider the following:
ActiveDocument.Close SaveChanges:=wdDoNotSaveChanges ActiveDocument.Close SaveChanges:=wdSaveChanges
Both lines of code close the active document. The difference between the lines is in the setting of the SaveChanges parameter. In the case of the first line, any changes will be discarded, while the second line results in the document being saved when it is closed. If you prefer to be asked every time, just use either of the following lines:
ActiveDocument.Close ActiveDocument.Close SaveChanges:=wdPromptToSaveChanges
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 (1301) 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 Changes when Closing.
Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!
Formulas created in a macro have a specific order in which operations are performed. This is known as precedence, as ...
Discover MoreWhen creating macros, it is sometimes necessary to know how many documents are open in Word. This is relatively easy to ...
Discover MoreCreate a macro and you are faced with the (sometimes) challenge of debugging it. Here's how to make that task as simple ...
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.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here:
Comments