Office Settings & Configuration

Can Excel Split Panes Scroll Vertically Independently? Workarounds & Solutions

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to view two tables on the same Excel worksheet and scroll through them vertically independently without affecting the other table's position.

Can Excel Split Panes Scroll Vertically Independently?

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Comparing or referencing two different tables or sections within the same worksheet.
Observed behavior: Excel synchronizes vertical scrolling across split panes on the same worksheet, preventing independent vertical scrolling.

Before you start

Before proceeding, note that Excel inherently synchronizes vertical scrolling for split panes on a single worksheet. The solutions below use built-in window management features to bypass this limitation.

Solution 1Recommended

Use 'New Window' to View and Scroll Independently

Since a single worksheet cannot scroll vertically independently, opening the same workbook in a new window allows you to view different parts side by side with separate vertical scroll bars.

This is the most effective native workaround. Excel allows you to open multiple instances (windows) of the same file. Changes made in one window are instantly updated in the other because they are the same file.

Navigate to the View Tab

Open your Excel workbook and click on the 'View' tab located on the top ribbon.

Open a New Window

Click on 'New Window' in the Window group. This opens a second view of your current workbook.

Arrange Windows Side by Side

Return to the 'View' tab and click 'View Side by Side', or use 'Arrange All' to position the two windows vertically or horizontally.

Disable Synchronous Scrolling

Ensure that the 'Synchronous Scrolling' option (found in the View tab, right below View Side by Side) is turned off. You can now scroll vertically independently in both windows.

Use 'New Window' to View and Scroll Independently

Real-time Updates: Any data you edit in window 1 will automatically and instantly appear in window 2, as both windows represent the exact same file.

Solution 2

Separate the Tables into Different Worksheets

If the tables do not strictly need to be on the same sheet, moving one table to a new worksheet can simplify side-by-side comparison.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't Excel provide two vertical scroll bars for a split window?

Excel's split feature is natively designed to keep rows aligned vertically across horizontal splits. Providing independent vertical scrolling on a single sheet would break row alignment and cause data referencing confusion, which is why it inherently requires synchronizing the vertical scroll position.

Can I use Freeze Panes to scroll independently?

No, Freeze Panes locks specific rows or columns in place while the rest of the worksheet scrolls. It does not provide separate scroll bars for two different active areas. The 'New Window' feature is required for independent scrolling.

Is there any add-in to force independent vertical scrolling on one sheet?

There are no standard add-ins that alter this fundamental UI behavior of Excel worksheets. Using the built-in 'New Window' feature remains the most effective and reliable workaround.

How do I turn off synchronous scrolling when viewing two windows?

When you have two windows open and 'View Side by Side' active, go to the 'View' tab on the ribbon and click the 'Synchronous Scrolling' button to toggle it off. This separates the scroll bars for both windows.

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