How to Open Two Excel Files Side by Side in Separate Windows

Try 4 easy methods to accomplish this

3 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

When you open multiple files inExcel, those files do not open in separate windows. Instead, users can switch between them by clicking their thumbnail previews onWindows 10‘s taskbar.

However, some users might need to open two MS Excel files in separate windows so they can view their contents side by side.

In the guides below you will find out how users can open two or more Excel files in multiple windows.

How can I have two Excel windows open side by side?

1. Open two Excel windows and place them side by side

2. Press the Shift Key to open multiple Excel files side by side

Alternatively, you can open multiple Excel windows by pressing and holding the Shift key. First, open the Excel software. Then hold the Shift key, and click Excel’s taskbar icon. That will open another window for the application that users can drag to both desktop sides as outlined above.

3. Add the Office Tab to Excel

Users can also openspreadsheetsin separate windows with the Office Tab extension for Excel. That’s a $29 add-on for Excel that addsspreadsheettabs to Excel, and users can try out a one-month free trial for Office Tab.

After installing that add-on, Excel will include alternative tabs for separatespreadsheets. Then users can right-click aspreadsheettab and select itsOpen in New Windowcontext menu option.

4. Use the View Side by Side option

1.Launch Excel.

ClickFile>Opento open a couple of spreadsheets.
Choose theViewtab.

4.Select theView Side by Sideoption in theWindowgroup.

Alternatively, users can select theNew Windowoption to open another spreadsheet in separate window.

Users utilizing full versions of Excel 2019-2007 can select aView Side by Sideoption to compare two spreadsheets. The option is built-in on the app, and is very easy to toggle on.

So, there are a few ways users can open Excelspreadsheetsin separate windows. Then users can drag windows to the left and right sides of the Windows desktop to view both thespreadsheets’ contents.

However, note that Windows XP and Vista don’t include the Windows Snap feature for arranging windows on the left and right sides of the desktop.

For any more questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach for the comments section below.

How to Open Two Excel Files Side by Side in Separate Windows#

How can I have two Excel windows open side by side?#

1. Open two Excel windows and place them side by side#

2. Press the Shift Key to open multiple Excel files side by side#

3. Add the Office Tab to Excel#

4. Use the View Side by Side option#