In this article I will explain how you can open a word document using VBA.

Opening Word Document:

If you are opening a word document from word you can use the code below:

Sub main()
Documents.Open ("D:TestFolderMain.docx")
End Sub


Where “D:TestFolderMain.docx” is the path where the word document is located.

Opening Word Document From Other Applications:

If you are opening a word document from another application, you would need to automate a word application first. This can be done using the code below:

Sub main()
Dim objWord As Object
'automate word application
Set objWord = CreateObject("Word.Application")
objWord.Visible = True
'open word document
objWord.documents.Open ("D:TestFolderMain.docx")
End Sub


For more information about automating word applications please see the article below:

• VBA, Automating Word From Excel

Using Open File Dialogs

You could also ask the user to choose the path of the word document using an open file dialogs. I have covered this topic in detail in the article below. Although the article was written for VBA for Excel, the concept can also be used in VBA for Word:

• Excel VBA, Open File Dialog

In the sample code below the user is asked to select the location of the word file from an open file dialog. After selecting the file, it is opened:

Sub main()
Dim intChoice As Integer
Dim strPath As String
Dim objWord As Object
Set objWord = CreateObject("Word.Application")
objWord.Visible = True

Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogOpen).AllowMultiSelect = False
intChoice = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogOpen).Show
'if the user selects a file
If intChoice <> 0 Then
    'get the path selected
    strPath = Application.FileDialog( _
        msoFileDialogOpen).SelectedItems(1)
    'opens the document
    objWord.documents.Open (strPath)
End If
End Sub


 See also:

• VBA, Automating Word From Excel
• Word Automation VBA, Common Errors
• Word VBA, Apply Macro to Multiple Files
• Word VBA, Modify Header For Multiple Files
• Word Automation VBA, Common Errors
• VBA, Write Excel Values to Word Document

If you need assistance with your code, or you are looking for a VBA programmer to hire feel free to contact me. Also please visit my website  www.software-solutions-online.com