Displaying Excel Files Side-by-Side with Windows 7 / Office 2010

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I like to work with two Excel Windows open side-by-side so that I can easily create links from one sheet to another, compare figures, etc. I’ve done this for years with earlier versions of Windows / Office by simply opening both files, using the restore (vs. maximize) option, right clicking the Windows taskbar to choose stack windows side-by-side and resizing/moving them as desired to best view the cells of interest.

Since buying my new computer using Windows 7, when I attempt to do that, the only way I seem to be able to view the two files side-by-side is within the Excel program. The file displays feel compressed /crowded and I do NOT like this; however, when I try to follow my former technique, I can only view one file or the other, even though I can see that both files are open down on the task bar. I thought one file must just be “hiding” behind the other, but when I move the one file, the other still won’t display, even when I right-click on the Windows task bar and issue the stack side-by-side command. I can readily switch back and forth by clicking on the appropriate task bar button, but I want to be able to see both at the same time, again a feature that’s been available for many years.

Any idea what is going on? Another thing I often do is work with a Publisher file open on the left and a Word file on the right and I have been able to display those side-by-side without any problem. I’ve also been successful at having two Word files open side-by-side. It only seems to be having two Excel files open simultaneously that is giving me grief.

Thanks a ton for any help you can provide,
Victoria aka Frustrated in Toasty Texas

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OK, I think I figured out a workaround. I apparently have to double-click the desktop icon to open the first Excel file and make sure it isn’t maximized. Then double-click the Excel icon a second time to open a second “copy” of the program and repeat for the second file. Seems terribly clumsy compared to the way that worked well for years, but guess I’ll just have to discipline myself to use that method unless someone has a better suggestion (she typed hopefully)???

Victoria, Who Doesn’t Always Think that Change Necessarily Equals Better

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Open both workbooks. From the View ribbon, click View Side by Side. Deselect “Synchronous Scrolling” if needed. Alternatively, open both workbooks and from the View ribbon, choose Arrange All. Select Vertical or Horizontal, as needed.

Hope this helps.

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Another way, is open the first Workbook press and hold the “Windows” Key on you keyboard and press either the right or left arrow key.

Windows SNAP feature will snap the one sheet either left or right and by repating you can snap the other sheet beside the first.

This can be a great hepl if you are woring between different office applicaitons like Excel and MS Acess.

Tom D

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