I generally have a BAS file containing the 'CreateWord' function which I drag into any workbook/database that needs it.
First it tests to see if Word is already open using GetObject. If that returns an error it creates an instance of Word using CreateObject.
The Word application can then be opened by simply using Set oWD_App = CreateWord.
Sub Test()
Dim oWD_App As Object
Dim oWD_Doc As Object
Set oWD_App = CreateWord
With oWD_App
Set oWD_Doc = .Documents.Add
End With
End Sub
Public Function CreateWord(Optional bVisible As Boolean = True) As Object
Dim oTempWD As Object
On Error Resume Next
Set oTempWD = GetObject(, "Word.Application")
If Err.Number <> 0 Then
Err.Clear
On Error GoTo ERROR_HANDLER
Set oTempWD = CreateObject("Word.Application")
End If
oTempWD.Visible = bVisible
Set CreateWord = oTempWD
On Error GoTo 0
Exit Function
ERROR_HANDLER:
Select Case Err.Number
Case Else
MsgBox "Error " & Err.Number & vbCr & _
" (" & Err.Description & ") in procedure CreateWord."
Err.Clear
End Select
End Function