Anna Lea has a read-only workbook that she uses as a template for a daily report that she creates. The file name is quite long, and ends in 20507xx. When she double-clicks on the workbook, it opens and shows that it is read-only. She makes her changes, and then uses Save As. Since Excel recognizes that the file is read-only, it suggests a new file name that consists of the old one with the words "Copy of" as a prefix. Anna wants to get rid of the "Copy of" so that all she has to do is change the "xx" portion of the file name to create the day's report.
The "Copy of" verbiage is added by Excel automatically. If you are using Save As, there is no way to change this without using a macro to control the saving process. The following macro, saved as part of the ThisWorkbook object, shows how this can be done.
Private Sub Workbook_BeforeSave(ByVal SaveAsUI _
As Boolean, Cancel As Boolean)
Dim sTemp As String
Dim sCheck As String
sCheck = "xx.xls"
If SaveAsUI Then
sTemp = ThisWorkbook.Name
If Right(sTemp, Len(sCheck)) = sCheck Then
sTemp = Left(sTemp, Len(sTemp) - Len(sCheck))
sTemp = sTemp & Format(Now, "dd") & ".xls"
sTemp = ThisWorkbook.Path & "/" & sTemp
ThisWorkbook.SaveAs Filename:=sTemp, _
FileFormat:=xlNormal
Cancel = True
End If
End If
End Sub
The macro first checks to see if the Save As dialog box is about to be displayed. If it is, then the workbook's name is assigned to the sTemp variable. This name is checked to see if the last six characters are "xx.xls" (from the sCheck variable). If they are, then the workbook is assumed to be the one where the name needs to be changed.
First the "xx.xls" characters (or whatever you've assigned to sCheck) are stripped from the end of the workbook name. Then today's date (two digits, for the day of the month) is appended to the file name, followed by the ".xls" suffix. Finally, the workbook is saved using this newly constructed filename. The Cancel flag is set to True so that the Save As dialog box never displays.
Note that the name is never checked for the verbiage "Copy of". The reason for this is simple: The wording is not added to the start of the file name until the actual Save As dialog box is displayed. Before that point (when this event handler is being executed) the workbook name remains unchanged.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3064) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Excel Smarts for Beginners! Featuring the friendly and trusted For Dummies style, this popular guide shows beginners how to get up and running with Excel while also helping more experienced users get comfortable with the newest features. Check out Excel 2013 For Dummies today!
You can, within a macro, save a workbook in several different file formats that are understood by Excel. However, you may ...
Discover MoreThe VBA programming language provide with Excel allows you to create and modify text files quite easily. Here's how to ...
Discover MoreDid you know that if you create a link that uses a UNC path, Excel could rewrite that path to something entirely ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2018-03-21 11:11:18
Paul
What exactly is the "PERSONAL FILE"?
Do I only create one excel file with the code and then its Universal?
What does the "Workbook_Open event macro" refer to? the macro in the post?
So I...
open brand new excel spreadsheet,
add new class-module, copy and paste code
add new module, copy and paste code
in ThisWorkBook under VBAProject/Microsoft Excel Objects, add Set XL_Events.XL_Event = Application
?
2016-05-31 23:49:32
Byron Whitman
How do I delete all these copies? The make another copy every time!
2016-02-13 06:17:00
Michael (Micky) Avidan
Sorry for my bad English but I'm sure you will understand the following:
The process is, slightly, complex, and requires some skill in using the VBA Editor (VBE).
*** ALL that follows goes into the PERSONAL file.
1. Add a new ClassModule and call it: MyEventsClass
2. Type into it the code below:
Public WithEvents XL_Event As Application
Private Sub XL_Event_WorkbookBeforeSave (ByVal Wb As Workbook, ByVal SaveAsUI As Boolean, Cancel As Boolean)
If instr (Wb .Name, "Copy of") Then
Application.EnableEvents = 0
Cancel = True
Wb.SaveAs Trim (Application.Substitute (Wb.FullName, "Copy of", ""))
Application.EnableEvents = 1
End If
End Sub
3. In a regular Module (existing or new) type the command:
Public XL_Events As New MyEventsClass
4. Into ThisWorkbook module add the Workbook_Open event macro and type into it the command:
Set XL_Events.XL_Event = Application
5. Save the PERSONAL file > close and restart "Excel".
6. Try to save an open workbook which has the "Copy of" Prefix in its name.
--------------------------
Michael (Micky) Avidan
“Microsoft® Answers" - Wiki author & Forums Moderator
“Microsoft®” MVP – Excel (2009-2016)
ISRAEL
2016-02-12 09:46:24
Joanne Mueller
Let me add my annoyance to this stupid prefix that is added to every Excel worksheet I receive and want to save. I am not a programmer and have no idea what or how to find "ThisWorkbook" and add the macro as suggested above. Microsoft just needs to eliminate this stupid harassment.
2015-08-28 10:04:08
Richard Reynolds
Once can only ask ... Why? WHY?? I exchange Excel files with lots of people via E-mail. Every one is aggravated by this "Copy of..." behavior of Excel.
Why not "Copy of ..." a Word or PowerPoint document? (Oops, did I give Microsoft an idea! Hope NOT!)
2014-12-01 17:27:45
This is a lot of trouble. Is there a universal switch tog et rid of this annoying behavior? I get this every time I save a document from e-mail. I think this is another reason to move our firm (only 800 users of Excel) away from Microsoft to Google Docs!
Microsoft must absolutely HATE its customers to stop innovating and instead be annoying!
2013-12-09 16:39:16
Brian Fletcher
Hello Allen,
Thanks for the useful code. I wonder if there is a way to disable this in all workbooks? I would be quite content to eliminate this behavior from Excel in its entirety.
Thanks again!
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2020 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments