For this specific variable, it sounds like you are setting a reference to
the workbook containing the code itself. There is already an automatic
variable you can use

ThisWorkbook

If you want a public variable visible throughout the project, it should be
declared in a general module rather than the ThisWorkbook module (don't
confuse with the ThisWorkbook object reference of which I just spoke). You
can then set it in any module/routine, such as the workbook_Open event and
it will be visible to all modules in the project. It should not be declared
anywhere else.

--
Regards,
Tom Ogilvy

"Dkline" wrote in message
...
Does it matter that my code is spread over several modules?

My code now is ThisWorkbook is:

'enables any name for file so long as it starts with VL-A08
Public wbVLA08 As Workbook

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
On Error Resume Next
Set wbVLA08 = ActiveWorkbook
Application.Run "'DRKScenarios.xls'!CreateMenu"
End Sub

There are three modules that use this variable in six macros. (I'm not the
only author of this code). Does that make any difference?

Should I also have this in Workbook_WindowsActivate? Should I have a Set
wbVLA08 = Nothing in the Workbook_BeforeClose and the
Workbook_WindowDeactivate?


"Chip Pearson" wrote in message
...
Your syntax
Public wbVLA08 = Application.ActiveWorkbook
is wrong because you cannot initialize a variable in its declaration.
You
need to initialize in some initialization procedure, such as the
Auto_Open
macro or the Workbook_Open event procedure. For example,

Public wbVLA08 As Workbook
Sub Auto_Open()
Set wbVBA08 = ActiveWorkbook
End Sub

Once initialized, it will retain its value until you change it or the
workbook is closed. You can then Activate that workbook at any time in
code
with code like the following:

wbVLA08.Activate

Do I need to declare the variable in every module in which it is used?

No, declare it once in a standard code module (not the ThisWorkbook
module
or a Sheet module or a class module), outside of and before any
procedure.

Do I need to set in each module? Do I need to make it static?

No, declare it once. Public variables are "static" by definition.

If I understand it, I can't set in "This Workbook" which is what I'd
like
to
do.

I'm not sure what the question is here. You can't declare it in the
ThisWorkbook module (well, you can, but shouldn't). In code,
ThisWorkbook
always refers to the workbook containing the code, regardless of what
workbook happens to be active at some time. You may be able to simplify
your
code to merely using ThisWorkbook to return to the workbook containing
the
code. E.g.,

ThisWorkbook.Activate


--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com




"Dkline" wrote in message
...
I want to create a Public variable upon the opening or reactivation of
a
workbook.
Public wbVLA08 = Application.ActiveWorkbook

Then at various points in several modules I activate a different
workbook,
do something there, and then want to make sure the original workbook
is
activated. So I'd use:
wbVLA08.Activate

When a routine is called by another macro in which the Public variable
has
been set, I get flagged on it saying object hasn't been set. "Run-time
error
91: Object variable or With block variable not set"

Do I need to declare the variable in every module in which it is used?
Do
I
need to set in each module? Do I need to make it static?

If I understand it, I can't set in "This Workbook" which is what I'd
like
to
do.

How can I do this?