How to log when a workbook is opened and closed [VBA]

This article demonstrates how to automatically create log entries when a workbook opens or closes using event code. Column A contains the action, Open or Close, column B contains the date and time.

Column C contains the user name and column D contains the computer name. Do not paste the code below to a regular module, that won't work. There are detailed instructions below.

VBA code

'This event code begins right before the user closes the workbook. 
Private Sub Workbook_BeforeClose(Cancel As Boolean)

'Dimension variable and declare data type
Dim Lrow As Single

'Save the row of the first empty cell in column A to variable Lrow.
Lrow = Worksheets("Log").Range("A" & Rows.Count).End(xlUp).Row + 1

'Check if cell above equals text value "Close Workbook", 
'if true then withdraw value in Lrow with 1 and then save the result to Lrow
If Worksheets("Log").Range("A" & Lrow - 1).Value = "Close workbook" Then Lrow = Lrow - 1

'Save text value "Close Workbook" to cell
Worksheets("Log").Range("A" & Lrow).Value = "Close workbook"

'Save date and time to the corresponding cell in column B.
Worksheets("Log").Range("B" & Lrow).Value = Now
End Sub

'This event code starts when the workbook is opened.
Private Sub Workbook_Open()

'Dimension variable and declare data type
Dim Lrow As Single

'Save the row of the first empty cell in column A to variable Lrow.
Lrow = Worksheets("Log").Range("A" & Rows.Count).End(xlUp).Row + 1

'Save text value "Open Workbook" to the first empty cell
Worksheets("Log").Range("A" & Lrow).Value = "Open workbook"

Save date and time to the corresponding cell in column B.
Worksheets("Log").Range("B" & Lrow).Value = Now
End Sub

Where to copy code?

Go to tab "Developer" on the ribbon and press with left mouse button on "Visual Basic" button to open the Visual Basic Editor or press shortcut keys Alt+F11
Double press with left mouse button on "This workbook" in the project explorer.
Paste code to workbook module.
Return to Excel.
Save your workbook as an *.xslm file in order to save the code as well.

Get the Excel file

Log1.xlsm

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Comments (5)

5 Responses to “How to log when a workbook is opened and closed [VBA]”

Nilhan says:

March 12, 2012 at 11:22 am

Hi Oscar,

Is there a way to include the name of the person (from computer name or user name, which appears in the excel options)in the code?

This would be a nice option to have when there are multiple users.

Regards,

Nilhan

Reply

Oscar says:

March 12, 2012 at 4:07 pm

Nilhan,

Sure!

Private Sub Workbook_BeforeClose(Cancel As Boolean)
Dim Lrow As Single
Lrow = Worksheets("Log").Range("A" & Rows.Count).End(xlUp).Row + 1
If Worksheets("Log").Range("A" & Lrow - 1).Value = "Close workbook" Then Lrow = Lrow - 1
Worksheets("Log").Range("A" & Lrow).Value = "Close workbook"
Worksheets("Log").Range("B" & Lrow).Value = Now
Worksheets("Log").Range("C" & Lrow).Value = Environ("USERNAME")
Worksheets("Log").Range("D" & Lrow).Value = Environ("COMPUTERNAME")
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
Dim Lrow As Single
Lrow = Worksheets("Log").Range("A" & Rows.Count).End(xlUp).Row + 1
Worksheets("Log").Range("A" & Lrow).Value = "Open workbook"
Worksheets("Log").Range("B" & Lrow).Value = Now
Worksheets("Log").Range("C" & Lrow).Value = Environ("USERNAME")
Worksheets("Log").Range("D" & Lrow).Value = Environ("COMPUTERNAME")
End Sub

Dale says:

February 4, 2020 at 3:14 pm

Hello Oscar, is it possible to put this VBA code into a spreadsheet and then get the results to appear along with the file name on a different spreadsheet?

Many thanks
Dale
Rachel says:

November 17, 2020 at 1:59 am

Hi Oscar not sure if you answered Dale's question but wondering if the results can appear in a separate file

kml says:

May 2, 2017 at 1:52 pm

Hi Oscar and Sevgili Nilhan,

Both of your question and answer did alot for me, thank you very much.

Regards

Reply

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