The Problem (Q-score 5, ranked #302nd of 303 in the Excel VBA archive)
The scenario as originally posted in 2013
I am opening spreadsheets using VBA and a couple of the workbooks contain code which starts executing when Workbook_Open() is called.
How can I open the workbooks using VBA but stop the code automatically executing? I am only opening the workbooks to look at formulae in the sheet- I do not want any code execution.
Why this Range / Worksheet targeting trips people up
The question centers on reaching a specific cell, range, or workbook object. In Excel VBA, this is the #1 source of failures after activation events: every property (.Value, .Formula, .Address) behaves differently depending on whether the parent Workbook is explicit or implicit.
The Verified Solution — niche answer (below median) (+5)
4-line Excel VBA pattern (copy-ready)
Would you like to try disabling the Events before you open the workbook in VBA and then re-enabling them for the rest of the module? Try using something like this:
Application.EnableEvents = False 'disable Events
workbooks.Open "WORKBOOKPATH" 'open workbook in question
Application.EnableEvents = True 'enable Events
When to Use It — classic (2013–2016)
Ranked #302nd in its category — specialized fit
This pattern sits in the 99% tail relative to the top answer. Reach for it when your scenario closely matches the question title; otherwise browse the Excel VBA archive for a higher-consensus alternative.
What changed between 2013 and 2026
The answer is 13 years old. The Excel VBA object model has been stable across Office 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 365, and 2024/2026 LTSC, so the pattern still compiles. Changes that might affect you: 64-bit API declarations (use PtrSafe), blocked macros in downloaded files (Mark-of-the-Web), and the shift toward Office Scripts for web-first workflows.