RunTime Error 91 - Object Variable or with block variable not set

That error with the Find method usually indicates that Excel could not find a cell meeting the search criteria

try this revision, add the microsoft DAO x.x object library to your references

Dim qdf As dao.QueryDef, db as DAO.database

set db=currentdb
       
For Each qdf In db.QueryDefs

The string that it is searching for exits in the excel workbook.

In the case where it might not, how would I code for that?

Adding that produces Runtime error 424 .. object required.

Post the revised procedure, please

I'm on a really tight deadline to resolve this and truly appreciate your help!!!

Dim qdf As dao.QueryDef
Dim db As dao.Database

Set db = CurrentDb

        
For Each qdf In db.QueryDefs
    If Left(qdf.Name, 1) = "~" Then
    Else
        strName = qdf.Name
        
        Select Case Left(strName, 4)
            Case Is = "qry_"
                strfile = Mid(strName, 5, 99)
            Case Else
                strfile = strName
        End Select

        
        strPath = "\\bhihnbwfa01\Groups\Projects\SAP_Validation\PhaseFinal\Spreadsheets\SPCritical\"
        strNewFile = strPath & strfile & ".xlsx"
        DoCmd.OutputTo acOutputQuery, strName, acFormatXLSX, strNewFile, False
        
        strOutput = strPath & strfile & ".xlsx"
    
    'prelim cleanup
        Dim exapp As Excel.Application
        Dim exbook As Excel.Workbook
        Set exapp = Excel.Application
        exapp.DisplayAlerts = False
        Set exbook = exapp.Workbooks.Open(strOutput)
    
        exapp.Visible = True 'set back to false
        exapp.Interactive = True
    
        With exapp
            .Cells.Select
            .Selection.ColumnWidth = 88.29
            .Cells.EntireRow.AutoFit
            .Cells.EntireColumn.AutoFit
            .Rows("1:1").Select
            .Selection.AutoFilter
            .Range("A1").Select
            
            If .CountIf(.ActiveSheet.[1:1], "NoMatchTotal") > 0 Then
                .Cells.Find("NoMatchTotal", .ActiveCell, , , , xlNext, False, False).Activate = ""
                .ActiveCell.Offset(0, -1).Range("A1").Select
                .Range(.Selection, .Selection.End(xlDown)).Select
                .Range(.Selection, .Cells(1)).Select
                With .Selection.Interior
                .PatternColor = 12632256
                .ThemeColor = xlThemeColorDark1
                .TintAndShade = -0.149998474074526
                .PatternTintAndShade = 0
                End With
            Else
            End If
            
            .ActiveWorkbook.SaveAs strOutput, xlOpenXMLWorkbook, , , , False
            .Application.Quit
        End With
     End If
    
Next qdf

  MsgBox ("Export and Preliminary Spreadsheet Formatting Completed!")
  Set qdf = Nothing
  Set db = Nothing

Select allOpen in new window

OK, let's come at it from a different angle.  In the block below, describe in sentences exactly what you are trying to do.

            If .CountIf(.ActiveSheet.[1:1], "NoMatchTotal") > 0 Then
                .Cells.Find("NoMatchTotal", .ActiveCell, , , , xlNext, False, False).Activate = ""
                .ActiveCell.Offset(0, -1).Range("A1").Select
                .Range(.Selection, .Selection.End(xlDown)).Select
                .Range(.Selection, .Cells(1)).Select
                With .Selection.Interior
                .PatternColor = 12632256
                .ThemeColor = xlThemeColorDark1
                .TintAndShade = -0.149998474074526
                .PatternTintAndShade = 0
                End With
            Else
            End If

Select allOpen in new window

I am searching for the string "NoMatchTotal" in Row 1.  

If it exists, select all colums to the left of that column and use a fill color of gray

Then try:

            If .CountIf(.ActiveSheet.[1:1], "NoMatchTotal") > 0 Then
                With .Cells(1, 1).Resize(1, .Match("NoMatchTotal", .ActiveSheet.[1:1], 0) - 1).EntireColumn.Interior
                    .PatternColor = 12632256
                    .ThemeColor = xlThemeColorDark1
                    .TintAndShade = -0.149998474074526
                    .PatternTintAndShade = 0
                End With
            Else
            End If

Select allOpen in new window

ok ... I figured out the problem

.Cells.Find("NoMatchTotal", .ActiveCell, , , , xlNext, False, False).Activate = ""

should be

.Cells.Find("NoMatchTotal", .ActiveCell, , , , xlNext, False, False).Activate

Good catch :)

Now back to my conditional formatting problem ... can you help me with automating  this?

Possibly.  Implementing Conditional Formatting via VBA can be a bear, though :)

Ok ... should I go back to my other post and close this one out?

Let's close this out, and try to tackle automating the CF in the other one.