VBA FreeFile

What is Excel VBA FreeFile?

To work with files in your VBA code, you can use Excel’s built-in VBA FreeFile function to get a unique file number. The Freefile function returns a file number that the Open statement can use. It protects your VBA macros from inadvertently overwriting or tampering with other open files.VBA Open Workbook

To store the unique file number, we first declare an integer variable called MyFileNum. Next, we use the Open statement to append an existing text file called “MyFile.txt” that is located at “C:” and associate it with the MyFileNum file number.

VBA FreeFile - Definition Example - 1

To guarantee that the changes are preserved, and resources are released, we close the file using the Close statement at the end.

VBA FreeFile - Definition Example - 2

When we run the above code, the text “This is additional data.” will be appended to the end of the current “MyFile.txt” text file at “C:” as a result of the code mentioned above.

VBA FreeFile - Definition Example - 3
Key Takeaways
  • VBA FreeFile is used to automate file operations in conjunction with Open, Close, and other file-related operations.
  • To release resources, always use the Close statement to close files after you’re finished.
  • VBA FreeFile can be used with a variety of file types and is not just for text files.
  • VBA FreeFile UTF-8 is a popular character encoding that works well with multilingual text and supports a wide range of characters.

How to Use the FreeFile Function in Excel VBA?

Using the FreeFile function in Excel VBA is straightforward. Follow the steps shown below:

  1. Open your Excel workbook and press ALT + F11 to access the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.


    How to Use the FreeFile Function in Excel VBA - Step 1

  2. Insert a new module by clicking on “Insert” in the menu and selecting “Module.”


    How to Use the FreeFile Function in Excel VBA - Step 2

  3. To declare a file number variable, use the Dim statement.

    For example:

    Dim MyFileNum As Integer

  4. Use the VBA FreeFile function to get a unique file number.

    Put the outcome in the variable for your file number. For example:

    MyFileNum = FreeFile

  5. MyFileNum can now be used to open, write, and read files that are included in your VBA code.


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FreeFile Function Always Returns 1 If We Close the Excel File

Every time the VBA FreeFile function is called within a single VBA session, it begins with the lowest file number that is available and increases it.

But when you use the Close statement to close a file, the associated file number is released, which enables VBA FreeFile to return 1 once more for the subsequent file operation.

This behavior is intentional and makes sure that, within the VBA session, every file operation is linked to a distinct file number. Let us understand this by an example.

FreeFile Function Always Returns 1 if we Close the Excel File - 1

The file numbers FileNumber1 and FileNumber2 are assigned in the code using the VBA FreeFile function. VBA FreeFile starts at the lowest file number that is accessible, which is 1, each time it is called within the same VBA session. Consequently, value 1 is assigned to FileNumber1 and FileNumber2.

Consequently, the MsgBox shows “FileNumber1: 1” and “FileNumber2: 1” to show that inside of the same VBA session, both file numbers are set to 1.

FreeFile Function Always Returns 1 if we Close the Excel File - 2

Examples

Example #1 – Opening and Writing Text to a Text File

We will see in this example how to use VBA FreeFile to assign a unique file number, open the ‘Example1.txt’ text file on the desktop for output, type ‘Hello, Excel VBA!’ into the file, and close it to save the modifications.

VBA FreeFile in Excel - Example 1
  • Step 1: In the new module, we create a new subroutine and declare an integer variable named “MyFileNum” to store the file number returned by the FreeFile function. to identify the file we open uniquely.
Example 1 - Step 1
  • Step 2: Here, we obtain a unique file number and assign it to our MyFileNum variable using the VBA FreeFile function. The lowest file number that is accessible is automatically chosen to be this number.
Example 1 - Step 2
  • Step 3: Use the Open statement to open a text file named “Example1.txt” located at “C:” for writing.

This line opens the “Example1.txt” text file at “C:”. To make sure that this file operation is connected to the distinct file number we previously acquired, we designate the file number as the “MyFileNum” variable.

Example 1 - Step 3
  • Step 4: The text “Hello, Excel VBA!” is written to the opened text file linked to “MyFileNum” using the Print statement.
Example 1 - Step 4
  • Step 5: Lastly, we close the text file linked to the MyFileNum file number using the Close statement. In addition to ensuring that the file is correctly closed and saved, this step is crucial for freeing up system resources.
Example 1 - Step 5
  • Step 6: Now, save the macro and click on Run. If a text file called “Example1.txt” doesn’t already exist on the desktop, this code’s output will create one and add the text “Hello, Excel VBA!” to it.

Running the provided code will replace any existing text in the file “Example1.txt” with the phrase “Hello, Excel VBA!” if the file already exists on the desktop.

VBA FreeFile in Excel - Example 1 - Step 6

Here is the full code:

Sub WriteToFile()
Dim MyFileNum As Integer
MyFileNum = FreeFile
Open “C:\Users\Desktop\Example1.txt” For Output As MyFileNum
Print #MyFileNum, “Hello, Excel VBA!”
Close MyFileNum
End Sub

Example #2 – Reading from a Text File

This example will show you how to use VBA FreeFile to open the text file “Example2.txt” on the desktop for input, read it line by line using a loop, and then use Debug.Print to display each line in the Immediate window.

  • Step 1: To store the file number, we declare an integer data type variable called MyFileNum, just like in the previous example.
VBA FreeFile in Excel - Example 2 - Step 1
  • Step 2: We use the FreeFile function to obtain a unique file number and assign it to MyFileNum.
Example 2 - Step 2
  • Step 3: Here, we open the same text file for reading using the Open statement. Once more, we designate the file number as MyFileNum.
Example 2 - Step 3
  • Step 4: In this section, we read the text file’s contents line by line using a loop until we reach the end of the file (EOF). We read each line of text into the “TextLine” variable and use “Debug.Print” to show it in the Immediate window of the VBA editor.
Example 2 - Step 4
  • Step 5: The text file connected to the MyFileNum file number is correctly closed using the Close statement, just like in the preceding example.
 Example 2 - Step 5
  • Step 6: The output of this code will read the contents of the desktop text file “Example2.txt” and use “Debug.Print” to print each line of the file to the VBA editor’s Immediate window.
VBA FreeFile in Excel - Example 2 - Step 6

Here is the full code:

Sub ReadFromFile()
Dim MyFileNum As Integer
MyFileNum = FreeFile
Open “C:\Users\Desktop\Example2.txt” For Input As MyFileNum
Do Until EOF(MyFileNum)
Line Input #MyFileNum, TextLine
Debug.Print TextLine
Loop
Close MyFileNum
End Sub

Example #3 – Using Multiple File Numbers

In this example, we will see how to use VBA FreeFile to assign distinct file numbers, File1 and File2. ‘File1.txt’ and ‘File2.txt’ are then opened for output, data is written into each file, and the files are closed to save the modifications.

Excel VBA FreeFile - Example 3-1
Excel VBA FreeFile - Example 3-2
  • Step 1: In this example, we declare two integer VBA variables, File1 and File2, to store the file numbers for two different files.
Example 3 - Step 1
  • Step 2: We obtain two distinct file numbers by using the FreeFile function twice, which we then allocate to File1 and File2.
Example 3 - Step 2
  • Step 3: In this step, we open a file called “File1.txt” on the desktop for output by using the Open statement. This file has been given the File1 file number, which links it to this particular file operation.
Example 3 - Step 3
  • Step 4: Here, the text “Data for File 1” is written into the “File1.txt” file that has been opened using the Print statement with #File1. The specified data is added to the file by this line of code.
Example 3 - Step 4
  • Step 5: In this step, to correctly close the “File1.txt” file connected to the File1 file number, we use the Close statement.

By doing this, you can be sure that any modifications you make to the file are saved and system resources are freed up.

Example 3 - Step 5
  • Step 6: As in Step 3, we launch an additional file called “File2.txt” from the desktop for output. This file has the file number “File2” assigned to it, meaning that it will be the object of future file operations.
Example 3 - Step 6
  • Step 7: In this line, we use the Print statement in VBA with #File2 to write the text “Data for File 2” into the opened “File2.txt” file. This line adds the specified data to the file.
Example 3 - Step 7
  • Step 8: Finally, to correctly close the “File2.txt” file connected to the “File2” file number, we use the Close statement. This step guarantees that any modifications made to the file are saved and that system resources are released, just like in Step 3.
Example 3 - Step 8
  • Step 9: Save the VBA macro and run the code. It will produce two text files on the desktop, “File1.txt” and “File2.txt,” with “Data for File 1” and “Data for File 2” written in “File1.txt” and “File2.txt,” respectively.
Excel VBA FreeFile - Example 3 - Step 9a
Excel VBA FreeFile - Example 3 - Step 9b

Here is the full code:

Sub MultipleFiles()
Dim File1 As Integer, File2 As Integer
File1 = FreeFile
File2 = FreeFile
Open “C:\Users\Vikram\Desktop\File1.txt” For Output As File1
Print #File1, “Data for File 1”
Close File1
Open “C:\Users\Vikram\Desktop\File2.txt” For Output As File2
Print #File2, “Data for File 2”
Close File2
End Sub

Important Things to Note

  • When you use the VBA FreeFile function to open a file that is already open, either by another process or inside your VBA code, it may cause the VBA FreeFile File Already Open issue.
  • To prevent confusion and possible mistakes, file numbers that VBA FreeFile returns should be used sequentially.
  • To free up system resources, it is best practice to use the VBA FreeFile Close statement to close files after you are finished working with them.
  • VBA FreeFile Read usually enables you to extract data line by line or based on particular data types. It is performed using VBA input statements such as Line Input or Input.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I need to close files opened with Excel VBA FreeFile?

Yes, to preserve data integrity and free up system resources, you must close files using the Close statement when you’re done with them.

2. Can I use FreeFile with other file manipulation functions in Excel VBA?

Yes. To carry out different file operations in Excel VBA, VBA FreeFile is frequently used in conjunction with Open, Close, Print, Input, and other file-related functions.

3. Are there any limitations to using Excel VBA FreeFile?

While VBA FreeFile is a helpful tool for organizing file numbers, it is not a comprehensive solution for all file manipulation tasks. It does not handle complex file operations, error checking, or file path validation; instead, its main focus is on generating unique file numbers.

4. Why is Excel VBA FreeFile not working?

If VBA FreeFile isn’t functioning as it should, look into the following problems:
Verify that the file number is stored in an integer variable that you have declared.
Check to make sure the file path is valid and reachable.
Verify whether any problems or syntactical errors in your VBA code could influence how VBA FreeFile is used.

This has been a guide to VBA FreeFile. Here we learn to use FreeFile function in Excel to open, close, write & read single or multiple files, with examples.You can learn more from the following articles –

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