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: Appending to a Non-Document Text File.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 2, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
When working with text files, you may want to add information to an existing file, rather than creating a new text file from scratch. To do this, all you need to do is open the file for Append rather than Output. The following code shows this process:
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:
Open "MyFile.Dat" For Append As #1
For J = 1 to NewValues
Print #1, UserVals(OrigVals + J)
Next J
Close #1
When the file is opened for Append mode, any new information is added to the end of the file, without disturbing the existing contents.
Make sure you use this only on non-document text files, however. If you attempt this on a document file (meaning you change "MyFile.Dat" to something like "MyFile.Doc", and that is an existing document file), then there is a very real chance that the document will be corrupted and you will not be able to read it in Word any more.
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 (1865) 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: Appending to a Non-Document Text File.
Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!
Want an easy way to move between directories using the Open dialog box? With just a little bit of up-front typing, you ...
Discover MoreWord allows you to establish links from one document to another. When you open a document containing these links, you may ...
Discover MoreDo your files look garbled when you open them? Here's one possible reason.
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