Assuming the Document_Close macro is in the 'ThisDocument' code module of the document or its template, it runs before the document closes - indeed, it runs before the save prompt (if applicable). If it's not where its supposed to be, it won't run at all. We can probably discount that, however, since the OP has already told us he's confirmed the correct implementation via a Message Box.

In my testing, the code works correctly. The question arises therefore as to how the OP is establishing that the variable hasn't been deleted from the document. The mere fact that the result in a DOCVARIABLE field referencing the deleted variable might remain unchanged, for example, isn't evidence; refreshing that field would soon delete its result (but not the field itself).

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]