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How to Fix Excel Show Windows Side by Side Arrangement Problems
Question details
The user needs to fix an issue where the Windows 'Show windows side by side' taskbar command arranges Excel windows improperly or unpredictably.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to view multiple Excel workbooks simultaneously using the Windows taskbar arrangement context menu.
- Observed behavior
- Excel windows are arranged incorrectly, often due to being minimized to the taskbar or spread across multiple monitors.
Before attempting to arrange your windows, ensure all the Excel workbooks you want to view are open, fully restored (not minimized), and dragged onto the same monitor display.
Use Windows Snap Assist to Arrange Windows Manually
The most reliable way to arrange Excel windows side by side on Windows 10 and 11 is by using the built-in Snap Assist feature, which bypasses taskbar command bugs.
The automated 'Show windows side by side' taskbar command can struggle with modern multi-window applications like Excel, especially if hardware acceleration or multiple monitors are involved. Using Windows Snap Assist gives you precise manual control.
Click on the title bar of the first Excel workbook you want to arrange to make it the active window.
Click and drag the title bar to the extreme left edge of your monitor until you see a translucent outline, then release the mouse. Alternatively, press the Windows Key + Left Arrow.
Windows Snap Assist will display thumbnails of your other open applications on the right side of the screen. Click on your second Excel workbook to automatically snap it to the right half.
Adjust Window States for the Taskbar Command
If you prefer using the taskbar right-click menu, you must prepare your Excel windows first to ensure the command executes correctly.
Easily Compare Spreadsheets with WPS Office's Built-in View
Avoid buggy Windows taskbar commands altogether. WPS Office includes a native 'View Side by Side' feature directly inside its Spreadsheets application, allowing you to seamlessly compare multiple documents in a single click without OS-level glitches.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open the two spreadsheet files you want to compare side by side.
- 2. Access the View Tab: Navigate to the 'View' tab located on the main top ribbon menu.
- 3. Enable Side by Side: Click the 'View Side by Side' button in the toolbar to instantly tile your current documents horizontally or vertically within the app.
- 4. Toggle Synchronous Scrolling: Click the 'Synchronous Scrolling' option if you want both spreadsheets to scroll down at the exact same time during your data review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the 'Show windows side by side' command ignore my Excel files?
Windows often ignores minimized applications when executing taskbar arrangement commands. You must restore or maximize your Excel windows so they are actively visible on the screen before right-clicking the taskbar and selecting the side-by-side option.
Can I arrange Excel windows side by side across multiple monitors?
The automated taskbar command can behave unpredictably with multiple displays, often squishing windows onto one screen. It is recommended to use the Windows Snap feature by dragging windows to the edges of your respective monitors to manually position them across screens.
Is there a keyboard shortcut to quickly snap Excel windows?
Yes, select the Excel window you want to arrange and press the Windows Key + Left Arrow or Right Arrow. This will perfectly snap the window to exactly half the screen, allowing you to select another Excel file for the opposite side.
