Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated August 14, 2021)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
If you modify an Excel workbook, and then close the file, 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 workbook 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 workbook without first saving.
The way to get around this is to use one of the parameters available with the Close method. Consider the following:
ActiveWorkbook.Close SaveChanges:=False ActiveWorkbook.Close SaveChanges:=True
Both lines of code close the active worbook. 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 workbook being saved when it is closed.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (10674) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel 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!
Need to figure out an absolute value within your macro code? It's easy to do using the Abs function, described in this tip.
Discover MoreNeed a quick way to change the default drive and directory in a macro you are writing? Here's the commands to do it and a ...
Discover MoreDo you want a way to reverse names within a cell, making them "last, first" instead of "first last?" Here's a handy macro ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, 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 Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments