Saving an Unsavable Workbook

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 29, 2024)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2013, 2016, 2019, Excel in Microsoft 365, and 2021


Bill has a "before save" macro that tests three cells. If the cells are empty, then the macro stops the user from saving. In other words, they are required to fill in the cells before they can save the workbook. Bill would like to save this workbook as a template, but when he clears the three cells, the macro also stops him from saving as a template. He would like the template to be "clean," with a default of the three cells being empty. Users would create a new workbook based on the template and then (correctly) not be able to save unless the cells are filled in. Bill wonders how he can save the workbook as a template, with the three cells empty.

There are several approaches you could take to save your template. The first is to change the name of your workbook to something rather esoteric, such as X27TT3W.xlsm. Then, add some logic to your "before save" macro that checks to see if the name of the base workbook is X27TT3W. If it is, then allow the workbook (or template) to be saved regardless of the condition of the three cells. Once the template is saved, you can then rename it in Windows to your desired name, and it can be shared with your users. Unless they guess the esoteric name you chose, they won't be able to save the workbook without making sure the three cells are filled in.

Another approach is to simply add another event handler to your workbook—this one that executes when you first open the workbook—to clear the contents of the three cells. This could be something simple, like this:

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
    Sheet1.Cells(1,1).Clear
    Sheet1.Cells(2,1).Clear
    Sheet1.Cells(3,1).Clear
End Sub

This macro clears the cells at A1:A3. If you want to have it clear a different range, just change the three lines to reflect which cells you want to clear. Then, put something in the three cells (so that it passes your testing in the "before save" macro), and save it as a template.

Another approach that is very easy to implement is to simply disable events before you save the template. This is not done within a macro, but within the Immediate window in the Visual Basic Editor. All you need to do is enter this single line:

Application.EnableEvents = False

Immediately save your workbook as a template, and then enter the following line in the Immediate window of the Visual Basic Editor:

Application.EnableEvents = True

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (13547) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2013, 2016, 2019, Excel in Microsoft 365, and 2021.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Displaying the Ruler

The ubiquitous ruler appears at the top of every Word document. It is so common place, that you may forget that it is ...

Discover More

Automatic Periods after a Caption

Word can automatically add captions to certain elements of your documents, such as figures or tables. You can control ...

Discover More

Margin Notes in Word

Some types of documents rely upon margin notes to the left or right of your main text. Getting these to appear in Word ...

Discover More

Program Successfully in Excel! John Walkenbach's name is synonymous with excellence in deciphering complex technical topics. With this comprehensive guide, "Mr. Spreadsheet" shows how to maximize your Excel experience using professional spreadsheet application development tips from his own personal bookshelf. Check out Excel 2013 Power Programming with VBA today!

More ExcelTips (ribbon)

Working while a Macro is Running

If you have a macro that takes a long time to process a workbook, you might want to continue working in Excel while the ...

Discover More

Converting Numbers to Strings

When creating macros, it is often necessary to change from one type of data to another. Here's how you can change from a ...

Discover More

Sharing Macros with Others

If you develop some handy macros that you use on your system, you may want to share those macros with others. This tip ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 4 + 0?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

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.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.