Open Multiple Excel 2010 Files in Different Windows
Yes, you can open multiple Excel 2010 files in separate windows, but the default behavior in Excel 2010 is to open each workbook inside the same application window. To force separate windows, you need to either change a Windows setting or use a specific launch method. This article explains the exact steps, why Excel behaves this way, and how to work around it effectively.
Why Excel 2010 Opens Files in One Window
Excel 2010 uses a single-document interface (SDI) under the hood, but by default it shows all open workbooks inside one top-level window. This is a change from Excel 2003 and earlier, where each workbook had its own window by default. Microsoft made this change to reduce taskbar clutter and to make it easier to switch between workbooks with Ctrl+Tab. However, many users prefer separate windows so they can view two files side by side on different monitors or compare them without constantly resizing panes.
The key setting that controls this behavior is in Windows, not Excel. It is called “Show all windows in the Taskbar� and it is located in the Excel Options dialog. When this option is enabled, each open workbook gets its own taskbar button and can be moved to a different monitor. When it is disabled, all workbooks share one window and you must use the View tab’s “Arrange All� or “View Side by Side� features to see them together.
How to Enable Separate Windows in Excel 2010
Follow these steps to make each workbook open in its own window:
- Open any Excel 2010 workbook.
- Click the File tab, then click Options.
- In the Excel Options dialog, click Advanced in the left pane.
- Scroll down to the Display section.
- Check the box next to “Show all windows in the Taskbar�.
- Click OK.
After this, every time you open a new workbook (or create a new one), it will appear as a separate window on your taskbar. You can drag each window to a different monitor, resize it, and arrange them freely. Note that this setting applies to all Excel files you open, not just the ones you open after changing it.
Alternative Method: Open a Second Excel Instance
If you do not want to change the global setting, you can open a separate instance of Excel manually. This method is useful when you only occasionally need two windows. Here is how:
- Open the first Excel file normally.
- Go to the Windows Start menu and search for Excel (or find the Excel icon in your Start menu).
- Hold down the Alt key and click the Excel icon. (In Windows 7 and later, you can also right-click the icon and choose “Microsoft Excel 2010� from the jump list.)
- A new Excel window opens with a blank workbook. Now open the second file from within that new window (File → Open).
This creates a second instance of Excel, completely separate from the first. You can now view the two files side by side on different monitors, and they will not affect each other’s calculations or macros. Note that this method does not work if you simply double-click a second .xlsx file in Windows Explorer – that will open it in the existing instance.
What to Do If the Setting Doesn’t Work
Sometimes the “Show all windows in the Taskbar� option appears grayed out or does not take effect. This can happen if you have already opened files before changing the setting. Close all Excel windows and reopen your files. If the option is grayed out, it is likely because you are using a version of Excel that does not support it – but Excel 2010 does support it, so it should be available.
Another common issue is that the setting works for new windows but not for files you open from Windows Explorer. That is because Windows Explorer opens the file in the existing instance. To open a second file in a new window, you must first start a new instance as described above, or use the File → Open command from within a new window.
If you are using multiple monitors and the windows still appear on the same screen, check your Windows display settings. Make sure the monitors are set to “Extend these displays� rather than “Duplicate�. Then drag the Excel window to the second monitor by its title bar.
Viewing Two Files Side by Side Without Separate Windows
If you do not need separate windows, Excel 2010 offers built-in tools to view multiple files at once. On the View tab, you will find:
- View Side by Side – Synchronizes scrolling of two open workbooks so you can compare them row by row.
- Arrange All – Tiles all open workbooks in the current window (horizontal, vertical, cascade, or tiled).
- New Window – Opens a second window for the same workbook. This is useful when you want to see two different sheets of the same file at the same time.
These tools work within the single-window mode and are often sufficient for quick comparisons. However, they do not allow you to move one workbook to a different monitor – that requires the separate-window approach.
Common Misconception: Excel 2010 Is Not a Single-Document Interface
Many users believe that Excel 2010 is a true single-document interface (SDI) like Excel 2013 and later, where each workbook always gets its own window. That is not exactly true. Excel 2010 has an SDI core, but Microsoft deliberately disabled it by default to preserve the familiar look of Excel 2007. The “Show all windows in the Taskbar� option essentially re-enables the SDI behavior. In Excel 2013 and later, this option is removed because separate windows are the default and only behavior.
This misconception leads to confusion when users search for “how to open multiple Excel 2010 files in different windows� – they often find answers for Excel 2013 that do not apply. The setting described above is the correct solution for Excel 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open two Excel 2010 files side by side on different monitors?
Yes, after enabling “Show all windows in the Taskbar�, each workbook is a separate window. You can drag one window to a second monitor and position them however you like. If you have not enabled the setting, you cannot move one workbook to a different monitor – they are stuck inside the same parent window.
Why does opening a second file from Windows Explorer not create a new window?
Because Windows Explorer sends the file to the existing Excel instance. To open a file in a new window, you must first start a new instance of Excel (using the Alt+click method) and then open the file from within that instance. The “Show all windows in the Taskbar� setting does not affect how files are opened from Explorer – it only changes how existing windows are displayed.
Does the “Show all windows in the Taskbar� setting affect performance?
No, it only changes the user interface. Each workbook still uses the same amount of memory and CPU. The only difference is that you get a separate taskbar button for each window, which can make it easier to switch between them. There is no performance penalty.
Can I have some workbooks in one window and others in separate windows?
No, the setting is global – it applies to all workbooks. If you enable it, every workbook opens in its own window. If you disable it, all workbooks share one window. You cannot mix both modes in the same Excel session. However, you can use the Alt+click method to open a second instance, which gives you a separate window for that instance while the original instance remains in single-window mode.
What if I want to compare two sheets of the same workbook in different windows?
Use the View tab → New Window. This creates a second window for the same workbook. You can then use “Arrange All� or move the new window to a different monitor. This works regardless of the “Show all windows� setting, but if you have it enabled, the new window will appear as a separate taskbar button.
Does this setting work in Excel 2007 or Excel 2013?
Excel 2007 has the same setting and it works the same way. Excel 2013 and later do not have this setting because separate windows are always enabled – you cannot force them to share one window. So if you are using Excel 2013 or newer, you do not need to do anything; each file already opens in its own window.
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