Making A Global File Path - excel

Question

Goal: Use open function to allow user to run commands on whichever file they choose to open across multiple functions(path is in a public function).
This is the initial function that prompts the user to select a file. That file path is saved in the variable "path". I made the function public with the intention of using "path" in multiple areas(globalization).
Public Function OpenFile1() As String
On Error GoTo Trap
Dim fd As FileDialog
Set fd = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFilePicker)
With fd
.Title = "Open Sterling Shipment History" 'Name for file
.Filters.Clear
.ButtonName = " Open "
.AllowMultiSelect = False
End With
If fd.Show <> 0 Then OpenFile1 = fd.SelectedItems(1)
Leave:
Set fd = Nothing
On Error GoTo 0
Exit Function
Trap:
MsgBox Err.Description, vbCritical
Resume Leave
Dim path As String
path = OpenFile1() 'Calls in file
If path <> vbNullString Then Debug.Print path
Workbooks.Open (path)
'rename the path variable for each function
'so that I can call in different files with that name
End Function
This is an excerpt of the second function that attempts to call the file path from the variable "path", use it to open the workbook and alter the workbook.
Sub Shipment_History()
Call OpenFile1
Dim sshist As Workbook
Set sshist = Workbooks.Open(path)
Columns("E:E").Select
Selection.Insert Shift:=xlToRight, CopyOrigin:=xlFormatFromLeftOrAbove
I also tried:
Sub Shipment_History()
Call OpenFile1
Workbooks.Open(path)
My issue is it isn't allowing me to open "path".
The error states
"Run-time error '1004': Sorry, we couldn't find. Is it possible it was
moved, renamed or deleted?"

Answer 1

Since the function returns a string (path) and it is publicly available, you dont need a public variable to store the path.
Declare the path variable locally and set it's value to the value (path) returned from the function:
Sub Shipment_History()
Dim path as string
path = OpenFile1()
If path <> vbNullString Then Workbooks.Open(path)
End Sub
p.s. Remove everything after Resume Leave except the End Function statement.

Answer 2

path must be declared outside any Function or Subscript as a public String, the function doesnt need to be public, its the variable.
Try this on a module:
Public path As String
Function setPathValue(ByVal dataPassed As String)
path = dataPassed
End Function
Sub givePathVal()
setPathValue ("This is path value")
End Sub
Sub showPathVal()
MsgBox path
End Sub