Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Saving Changes when Closing.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 6, 2021)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
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:
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here:
ActiveDocument.Close SaveChanges:=False
ActiveWorkbook.Close SaveChanges:=True
Both lines of code close the active workbook. 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 (3330) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Saving Changes when Closing.
Program Successfully in Excel! This guide will provide you with all the information you need to automate any task in Excel and save time and effort. Learn how to extend Excel's functionality with VBA to create solutions not possible with the standard features. Includes latest information for Excel 2024 and Microsoft 365. Check out Mastering Excel VBA Programming today!
Place a cell reference in a macro, modify the structure of your worksheet, and you may soon find that the cell reference ...
Discover MoreNeed to figure out an absolute value within your macro code? It's easy to do using the Abs function, described in this tip.
Discover MoreThe Text-to-Columns tool is an extremely powerful feature that allows you to divide data in a variety of ways. Excel even ...
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 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 © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments