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How to close other open Word documents

AuthorAmanda LiLast modified

When you work with multiple documents in Microsoft Word, it is easy to end up with several files open at the same time. In some cases, you may want to close all the other documents and keep only the one you are currently working on.

This tutorial explains three practical ways to close other open Word documents. You will learn how to use Kutools for Word for a quick one-click solution, how to use a VBA macro to close all documents except the active one, and how to manage documents efficiently with Office Tab.

Close other documents with Kutools for Word

Kutools for Word

Kutools for Word helps you handle everyday document tasks faster with practical tools built right into Microsoft Word—no coding, no complex setup.

  • AI writing, polishing, translation, and summarization
  • Batch find and replace across documents
  • Merge and split Word documents easily
  • Batch Word ↔ PDF conversion
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Kutools for Word provides a quick option to close all other open documents and keep only the current document:

In the document you want to keep open, click Kutools Plus > Close Others.

Kutools Plus menu in Word showing the Close Others option

All open documents except the current one will be closed at once.

Note:

If some documents have unsaved changes, Word will prompt you to save them before closing.

Close all documents except the current one using VBA

If you prefer a built-in solution, you can use a VBA macro to close every open document except the active one.

  1. In the document you want to keep open, press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor.
  2. Click Insert > Module.
    Insert a new module in the VBA editor by clicking Insert > Module
  3. Paste the macro below into the module. 
    Sub CloseAllButCurrent()

    Dim doc As Document
    Dim curDoc As Document

    Set curDoc = ActiveDocument

    For Each doc In Application.Documents
        If doc.Name <> curDoc.Name Then
            doc.Close SaveChanges:=wdPromptToSaveChanges
        End If
    Next doc

End Sub
  4. Press F5 to run the macro.

This macro will keep the current document open and close all others.

Note:

For documents with changes, Word will ask whether to save.

Close other documents with Office Tab

Office Tab adds a tabbed interface to Word. It also provides a right-click menu to close other documents quickly.

Navigate through documents using Office Tab

Office Tab

Tabbed navigation for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more—just like a web browser, with smooth switching in one window.

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  1. Make sure Office Tab is installed and tabs are enabled in Word.
  2. Right-click the tab of the current document, and select Close Other.
    Right-clicking menu in Word showing the Close Others option

Notes:

  • If some documents have unsaved changes, Word will prompt you to save them before closing.
  • Once Office Tab is installed, Word and other Office applications will display files in a tabbed interface, and will include tab-based options such as Close Other.

Which method should you use?

MethodRequires add-inBest for
Kutools for WordYes DownloadFastest one-click option inside Word
VBA macroNoUsers who want automation without add-ins
Office TabYes DownloadUsers who prefer tabs over separate document windows

Conclusion

If you want the simplest way, Kutools for Word lets you close other documents with one click. VBA is a good choice if you prefer a built-in approach and don’t mind using macros. Office Tab is ideal for users who prefer working with tabs instead of separate document windows and want a quick right-click option.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful. If you’d like to explore more Word tips and practical solutions, please click here to browse our full collection of Word tutorials.