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How to Display Excel and the VBA Editor Side by Side
Question details
Excel developers need to view both the active worksheet and the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) Editor simultaneously to efficiently create, edit, and test macros without constantly switching tabs.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Writing and testing VBA macros where seeing the real-time cell changes on the spreadsheet is necessary.
- Observed behavior
- The user wants to split their screen between the Excel workbook and the VBA Editor window, and later restore them to a standard full-screen view.
Ensure that both your Excel workbook and the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) Editor (Alt + F11) are currently open on your desktop.
Use Windows Snap Keyboard Shortcuts
The fastest way to perfectly arrange both windows on one screen is by using Windows Snap keyboard shortcuts.
Windows provides a built-in Snap feature that allows you to instantly lock windows to the halves or corners of your screen. This method is ideal for establishing a dual-pane programming workflow.
Click anywhere inside your main Excel window to make it active, then press the Windows key + Left Arrow on your keyboard. This will instantly snap the Excel window to occupy the left half of the screen.
Click inside the VBA Editor window to make it active, then press the Windows key + Right Arrow. The editor will snap to cleanly fill the right half of your screen.
When you are finished testing your macro, select the window you want to expand and click its Maximize button (the square icon next to the close button in the top right corner) to return to a full-screen view.
Drag Windows to Screen Edges
If you prefer using a mouse over keyboard shortcuts, you can manually drag the windows to utilize the Snap Assist feature.
Write and Test Macros Seamlessly in WPS Office
WPS Spreadsheet features a powerful, integrated Macro editor that supports VBA. You can comfortably edit code and observe spreadsheet changes side by side, enjoying a lightweight application that drastically speeds up your workflow.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open your macro-enabled spreadsheet workspace.
- 2. Launch the Macro Editor: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab on the top ribbon, click on 'Macros', and select 'Visual Basic Editor' from the drop-down menu.
- 3. Arrange Side by Side: Use the Windows Key + Left/Right Arrow keyboard shortcuts to snap the WPS Spreadsheet and the Macro Editor side by side for efficient, real-time testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I quickly open the VBA Editor in Excel?
You can instantly open the VBA Editor by pressing Alt + F11 on your keyboard. Alternatively, go to the Developer tab on the ribbon and click the 'Visual Basic' button.
Can I move the VBA Editor to a second monitor?
Yes. If you have a multiple-monitor setup configured to 'Extend', you can simply click and drag the title bar of the VBA Editor window over to your second monitor screen, then click the Maximize button.
Why is Windows Snap not working on my computer?
Snap Assist might be disabled in your Windows system settings. To enable it, navigate to Windows Settings > System > Multitasking, and make sure the 'Snap windows' toggle is switched to the On position.
