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# FreeFile Function

Returns the next available file number for opening a file. Use this function to open a file using a file number that is not already in use by a currently open file.

### Syntax:

    FreeFile

### Return value:

Integer

### Parameters:

This function can only be used immediately before an Open statement. FreeFile returns the next available file number, but does not reserve it.

### Error codes:

5 Invalid procedure call

67 Too many files

### Example:

      Sub ExampleWorkWithAFile
          Dim iNumber As Integer
          Dim sLine As String
          Dim aFile As String
          Dim sMsg As String
          aFile = "C:\Users\ThisUser\data.txt"
          iNumber = Freefile
          Open aFile For Output As #iNumber
          Print #iNumber, "This is a line of text"
          Print #iNumber, "This is another line of text"
          Close #iNumber
          iNumber = Freefile
          Open aFile For Input As iNumber
          While Not eof(iNumber)
              Line Input #iNumber, sLine
              If sLine <>"" Then
                  sMsg = sMsg & sLine & chr(13)
              End If
          Wend
          Close #iNumber
          MsgBox sMsg
      End Sub

      Sub ExampleWorkWithAFile
          Dim iNumber As Integer
          Dim sLine As String
          Dim aFile As String
          Dim sMsg As String
          aFile = "~/data.txt"
          iNumber = Freefile
          Open aFile For Output As #iNumber
          Print #iNumber, "This is a line of text"
          Print #iNumber, "This is another line of text"
          Close #iNumber
          iNumber = Freefile
          Open aFile For Input As iNumber
          While Not eof(iNumber)
              Line Input #iNumber, sLine
              If sLine <>"" Then
                  sMsg = sMsg & sLine & chr(13)
              End If
          Wend
          Close #iNumber
          MsgBox sMsg
      End Sub

Related Topics

Close Statement

Open Statement

Print# Statement