How do I automatically open a Word document at startup?

See the article "I keep getting files that I am working on locked for editing. Word only allows me to open them read-only” at:

http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/LockedFiles.htm

Thanks for your help, but not appropriate for my case. I'm using Win7, locking doesn't occur when anything crashes, and I've only just done all the cleanups described. Thanks anyway, though.

You could use the following AutoExec macro that you add to the Normal template:

Sub AutoExec()
Application.Documents.Open "C:\Users\SB\Desktop\myfirstexample.docx"
Application.Documents.Open "C:\Users\SB\Desktop\mysecondexample.docx"
End Sub

Of course, you will have to adjust the paths so that they point to actual files on your machine.

For installation instructions, see http://www.gmayor.com/installing_macro.htm.

Thanks. Though if a startup shortcut to a document opens it in duplicate, won't a startup shortcut to WINWORD.EXE do the same?

Followed instructions, and on double-clicking WINWORD.EXE, a Microsoft Visual Basic dialogue box opens, saying

Run-time error '5174':

This file could not be found.

("C:\Users\...\X.docx")

Path is correct, unless it should say Documents rather than My Documents.

On clicking Debug, it shows this, highlighted:

Application.Documents.Open "C:\Users\Andrew\My Documents\X.docx"

Thanks for your help.

On Windows 7 I believe the folder is called "Documents" rather than "My Documents" (at least on my installation). You can verify it by clicking to select the path in the address bar of Windows Explorer (so that it displays with backslashes rather than with arrows).

I never knew clicking address bar did that! Can't imagine how you found out, as it's not something you'd think to do.

Yes, just Documents.

1.    Unfortunately, if shortcut to WINWORD.EXE is then placed in startup folder, a 3rd Word window (not 4th) still opens, with 1 of 2 things:

-    an MVB dialogue box saying

Run-time error '4198':

Command failed

with Application.Documents.Open "C:\Users\Andrew\My Documents\X.docx" highlighted again.

-    a File In Use dialogue box saying

X.docx is locked for editing...

I should say that, before this, I get the error message

The document 'X.docx' caused a serious error last time it was opened. Would you like to continue opening it?

I always say Yes because it never makes any difference.

3rd & 4th documents are Document1 and Document2.

2.    If instead of placing the WINWORD.EXE shortcut in the administrator's startup folder, I place it in that for All Users, it doesnt open at all. It isn't in msconfig. And the shortcut to the Firefox browser, in the administrator's startup folder, takes its time opening. When it does, it won't connect to any website.

3.    When the WINWORD.EXE shortcut is back in the administrator's startup folder, Word & Firefox behave as they did before.

Thanks for your help.