.Open Method Tries to Open Word File as ReadOnly Even Though It's Not

I am trying to write a macro that allows a user to select documents from a list to open (and then eventually be edited automatically).

I have an Excel spreadsheet with the macro and a worksheet listing all of the files. The macro reads the list of files and an inputbox pops up, allowing the user to select which files they want. The macro then passes the filenames onto another sub that opens each file (in Word). It's having no problem finding the files and opening Word, but it keeps telling the user that "[Filename] is loced for editing by '[username]'. Do you want to: Open a Read Only copy / Create a local copy and merge your changes later / Receive notification when the original copy is available", but the file isn't locked for editing!!! I don't get it!

I've tried using SendKeys to hit ENTER to continue along, but the prompt isn't the active window, so that does nothing and I can't use ALT+TAB because the number of times that needs to be used to get to the prompt is dependent on the number of other windows open. I've also used "wordapp.ReadOnly = True", but that doesn't seem to change anything. I've checked that the file is definitely NOT read-only, even creating brand new test files with the correct filename (i.e., created a new Word file, named it one of the filenames from the list, and saved it to the folder to the macro looks in).

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Here is my code:

Code:

---

Sub Compile_Specs()

    SpecPrompt.Show

End Sub

-------------------------------

Sub SpecSheetPopulate(Tname As String)


    Set wordapp = CreateObject("word.Application")
 
    wordapp.documents.Open "C:\Users\bnieto\Documents\" & Tname & ".docx"


End Sub

-----------------

Private Sub Cancelprompt_Click()
    UFpromptcancel = True
    Unload Me
End Sub

------------------------

Private Sub OKprompt_Click()
     
        Dim k As Integer
        Dim Tname As String
        Dim varItm As Variant
        Dim strBuild As String
           
            'Initial value should be row of first Spec listed
            SpecRow = 2
       
        For k = 0 To PromptList.ListCount - 1
           
            If PromptList.Selected(k) = True Then
       
                Tname = Worksheets("SpecList").Cells(SpecRow + k, 2)
                Tname = Tname & " - " & Worksheets("SpecList").Cells(SpecRow + k, 1)


                Call SpecSheetPopulate(Tname)


                    Application.ScreenUpdating = False


                 
            End If
        Next k


    Unload Me
    UFpromptcancel = False
   
End Sub

---------------------

Private Sub UserForm_Initialize()
   
    PromptList.Clear
   
    Dim SpecRow As Integer
    Dim strSpec
   
    Sheets("SpecList").Select
   
    'Initial value should be row of first Spec listed
    SpecRow = 2
   
    While Not IsEmpty(Cells(SpecRow, 1))
       
        strSpec = Worksheets("SpecList").Cells(SpecRow, 2)
        strSpec = strSpec & " - " & Worksheets("SpecList").Cells(SpecRow, 1)
       
        PromptList.AddItem strSpec
        SpecRow = SpecRow + 1
    Wend
 
End Sub

---

The problem presumably arises because you already have the document open in an other instance of Word, and you are creating a new instance in order to run your process, and there is thus a lock file associated with the other instance that prevents it from opening again in the new instance. It is therefore better (and faster) to use the existing instance of Word and only create a new one if Word is not already open. See also http://www.gmayor.com/what_to_do_when_word_crashes.htm with regard to lock files.

Also declare your variables. It is good practice and makes debugging code easier.

Code:

---

Dim wordapp As Object
On Error Resume Next
    Set wordapp = GetObject(, "Word.Application")
    If Err Then
        Set wordapp = CreateObject("Word.Application")
    End If
    On Error GoTo 0

---

Also, make sure that the files themselves are not set as read-only - just to cover all of the bases here.