Using Excel VBA to Open a Workbook in the Background – 2 Examples

This is File1.

This is File2.

Example 1 – Open a Secondary Workbook in the Background with Excel VBA

STEPS:

• Go to the Developer tab.
• Select Visual Basic.

• In the VBA window, double-click ThisWorkbook in VBAProject (File1.xlsm).

• Enter the following code.

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
 Application.ScreenUpdating = True
 Workbooks.Open Filename:="D:\46\excel vba open workbook in background\File2.xlsx"
 ThisWorkbook.Activate
 Application.ScreenUpdating = False
End Sub

• Save the file.
• Close File1.
• Open File1 again.
• File2 will open in the background.

Read More: How to Open Workbook as Read-Only with Excel VBA

Example 2 – Using a VBA Code to Open an Excel Workbook Without Showing it

STEPS:

• Go to Developer ➤ Visual Basic.
• In the VBA window, click Module.

• Enter the code below .

Sub Open_Workbook()
 Application.ScreenUpdating = True
 Workbooks.Open Filename:="D:\46\excel vba open workbook in background\File2.xlsx"
 ThisWorkbook.Activate
 Application.ScreenUpdating = False
End Sub

• Save the code by pressing Ctrl+S.
• Close the VBA window.
• Go to the Developer tab.
• Click Macros.

• In the Macro dialog box, choose Open-Workbook in Macro name.
• Click Run.

It will open File2 in the background.

Read More: How to Open Workbook and Run Macro Using VBA

Download Practice Workbook

Download the following workbook.

Related Articles

• How to Open Workbook with Variable Name with Excel VBA
• How to Open Workbook from Path Using Excel VBA
• Excel VBA to Open Workbook from Path in Cell
• How to Browse for File Path Using Excel VBA
• How to Open Folder and Select File Using Excel VBA
• How to Open File Dialog Default Folder with Excel VBA