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aekbus's avatar
aekbus
Brass Contributor
Jan 29, 2026
Solved

Opening a Word document from an Excel spreadsheet

I want my Excel macro to open a Word document.  I can open an Excel document from my Excel macro, and I can open a Word document from my Word macro, but I cannot open a Word document from my Excel macro.  Is it possible?

  • YES, YES, YES!  That works,  Thank you so much.

5 Replies

  • Olufemi7's avatar
    Olufemi7
    Iron Contributor

    Helloaekbus​

     

    Yes, it’s possible to open a Word document directly from an Excel macro. You just need to automate Word from within Excel using VBA. A simple example looks like this:

     

    Sub OpenWordDoc()

     

        Dim wdApp As Object

        Dim wdDoc As Object

        Dim docPath As String

     

        ' Full path to your Word document

        docPath = "C:\Users\YourName\Documents\Example.docx"

     

        ' Create a new Word application instance

        Set wdApp = CreateObject("Word.Application")

     

        ' Open the document

        Set wdDoc = wdApp.Documents.Open(docPath)

     

        ' Make Word visible

        wdApp.Visible = True

     

    End Sub

     

     

    CreateObject(“Word.Application”) starts Word from Excel.

    Documents.Open(docPath) opens the file.

    wdApp.Visible = True ensures you can see Word; otherwise, it runs hidden.

     

    If Word is already running and you want to attach to that instance instead of starting a new one, you can use:

     

    Set wdApp = GetObject(, "Word.Application")

     

     

    This way, your Excel macro can open and even interact with Word documents seamlessly.

    • aekbus's avatar
      aekbus
      Brass Contributor

      This procedure worked all except the Visible = true. I have screenprinted the Properties window and the sub as I changed it to my variable names and pasted them into a Word document and will attach it if I can figure out how.  Comment: This procedure is not helpful to the user if they cannot see the document. (Few computer skills)

      • aekbus's avatar
        aekbus
        Brass Contributor

        YES, YES, YES!  That works,  Thank you so much.

  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Platinum Contributor

    Below are two simple approaches, starting with the easiest and then a slightly more flexible one.

     

    Just want to open Word

    This method simply tells Excel to open the Word file, just as if you double-clicked it.

    Sub OpenWordDocument()
    
        Dim wordFilePath As String
        wordFilePath = "C:\YourFolder\YourDocument.docx"
    
        If Dir(wordFilePath) <> "" Then
            Workbooks.Open wordFilePath
        Else
            MsgBox "File not found."
        End If
    
    End Sub

    This works because Windows knows Word files must be opened by Microsoft Word.

     

    Want to edit or automate Word

    This method starts Word explicitly, opens the document, and gives you control over Word if you need it later.

    Enable Word reference (optional but helpful)

    In the VBA Editor, click Tools → References

    Check Microsoft Word xx.x Object Library

    Click OK

    This gives you IntelliSense and better error checking.

    Sub OpenWordDocument()
    
        Dim wdApp As Object
        Dim wdDoc As Object
        Dim wordFilePath As String
    
        wordFilePath = "C:\YourFolder\YourDocument.docx"
    
        ' Start Word
        Set wdApp = CreateObject("Word.Application")
        wdApp.Visible = True
    
        ' Open the document
        Set wdDoc = wdApp.Documents.Open(wordFilePath)
    
    End Sub

     

    My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

     

    Hope this will help you.

     

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