Office Settings & Configuration

How to Keep Word or Excel Window Size After Closing in Windows

Maira Mehtab Sep 30, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to preserve custom window dimensions and positions for Word and Excel documents across sessions and multiple monitors.

How to Keep Word or Excel Window Size After Closing in Windows

Product: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Opening Word or Excel documents on single or multiple monitors and needing them to open in a specific, non-maximized size.
Observed behavior: Word and Excel applications open maximized or default to sizes that do not match the user's preferred layout from the previous session.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative privileges on your computer to install third-party Office add-ins, and save any open work before modifying application settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the SaveViewLocMulti Add-in for Microsoft Word

Install a specialized add-in to force Word to remember the exact coordinates and size of your document windows.

Microsoft Word does not natively support saving custom window sizes on a per-document basis across multiple monitors. Using a trusted third-party macro or add-in like SaveViewLocMulti bridges this gap.

Download the Add-in

Search for and download the SaveViewLocMulti add-in file designed for Microsoft Word.

Install the Add-in in Word

Open Microsoft Word, go to File > Options > Add-ins. Manage 'Word Add-ins' or 'Templates' and click Go to attach the downloaded file.

Position Your Window

Open a document, disable the maximized state, and manually drag the window to your desired size and position on your monitor.

Save the Document

Click Save. The add-in will record the window's location data into the document's properties. The next time you open this specific document, it will restore to this exact size and location.

Use the SaveViewLocMulti Add-in for Microsoft Word

Word-Specific Solution: This add-in only works for Microsoft Word. It will not affect how Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint handles window sizes.

Solution 2

Use the Windows Ctrl+Close Shortcut for Excel

Use a built-in Windows trick to encourage the OS to remember the last closed window size for Excel.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Better Document Experience

If you are frustrated with managing multiple windows and add-ins in Microsoft Office, switch to WPS Office. It features a streamlined, tabbed interface that keeps all your documents in one manageable window, fully compatible with Word and Excel files.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for Windows.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
3. Open Your Files in Tabs: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word or Excel documents. Enjoy editing them seamlessly within a single, organized tabbed window.

Unified tabbed workspace for effortless window management across multiple documentsFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) file formatsLightweight and fast, utilizing fewer system resources than traditional Office suitesFree to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Word always open maximized?

Microsoft Office applications often default to the last saved window state or maximize automatically based on Windows OS settings. If the application was closed while maximized during the previous session, it will typically reopen in that same maximized state.

Can I use the SaveViewLocMulti add-in for Excel?

No, SaveViewLocMulti is a Word-specific add-in that relies on Word macros to function. To save specific window sizes in Excel, you will need a different VBA script or an add-in specifically designed for Microsoft Excel.

How do I force Windows to remember my Excel window size without add-ins?

You can manually resize the Excel window (ensuring it is not maximized), hold down the 'Ctrl' key, and click the close (X) button. Windows often remembers this custom dimension for the next time you open the application, though results can vary across different Windows updates.

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