FreeFile Function

Description

Returns the next file number available for use by the Open statement.

Syntax

FreeFile[(rangenumber)]

The rangenumber argument specifies the range from which the next free file number is to be returned. Specify a 0 (default) to return a file number in the range 1 to 255, inclusive. Specify a 1 to return a file number in the range 256 to 511.

Remarks

Use FreeFile when you have to supply a file number and you want to make sure the file number is not already in use.

See Also

Open Statement.

Example

This example uses the FreeFile function to return the next available file number. Five files are opened for output within the loop and some sample data is written to each.

For MyIndex = 1 To 5    ' Loop 5 times.
    FileNumber = FreeFile    ' Get unused file
            ' number.
    Open "TEST" & MyIndex For Output As #FileNumber    ' Create filename.
    Write #FileNumber, "This is a sample."    ' Output text.
    Close #FileNumber    ' Close file.MyIndex