XL: How to Create a Macro That Opens Multiple Selected Files

In the Open dialog box in Microsoft Excel, you can select more than one file to open at a time. If you are using Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications with the GetOpenFileName method, you must use a macro to loop through the selected files to open them.

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements.

Visual Basic Code Example

1. In a new workbook, insert a module, and enter the following code:

      Sub loopyarray()
   
      Dim filenames As Variant
   
      ' set the array to a variable and the True is for multi-select
      filenames = Application.GetOpenFilename(, , , , True)
   
         counter = 1
   
         ' ubound determines how many items in the array
         While counter <= UBound(filenames)
   
            'Opens the selected files
            Workbooks.Open filenames(counter)
   
            ' displays file name in a message box
            MsgBox filenames(counter)
   
            'increment counter
            counter = counter + 1
   
         Wend
      End Sub
   					

2. Run the loopyarray macro.
3. In the Open dialog box, select multiple files to open by holding down CTRL as you click each file name.
4. Click Open or click OK.

As the macro opens each of the selected files, it displays a message box stating the path and file name of each file as it is opened.

"Visual Basic User's Guide," version 5.0, pages 129-137