Office Settings & Configuration

How to Open Multiple Word Documents in One Window

Bushra Parveen Oct 15, 2026 874 views

Question details

The user wants to open and view multiple Word documents within a single application window using a tabbed interface, rather than having separate windows for each document.

How to Open Multiple Word Documents in One Window

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing multiple open documents simultaneously without cluttering the screen or taskbar with multiple individual application windows.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word opens each document in a separate application window by default and lacks a native tabbed interface for multiple documents.

Before you start

Confirm your current Microsoft Word version, as native tabbed document viewing is not supported out of the box. You will need administrative privileges on your computer if you decide to install a third-party add-in to enable this feature.

Solution 1Recommended

Install a Third-Party Tab Add-in for Microsoft Word

Since modern versions of Microsoft Word lack a native tabbed interface, installing a reliable third-party add-in is the most effective way to group multiple documents into one window.

Microsoft uses a Single Document Interface (SDI), which intentionally opens every document in its own frame. To override this and get a web-browser-like tab experience, you must rely on external plugins.

Find a reputable add-in

Search online for trusted Microsoft Office tabbed interface software, such as 'Office Tab'.

Download and install

Download the installer package for the add-in and run it. Follow the on-screen instructions, ensuring you apply the add-in to Microsoft Word.

Open multiple documents

Launch Microsoft Word. As you open multiple documents, the add-in will automatically group them into a single window with clickable document tabs at the top of your workspace.

Security Recommendation: Always ensure you download Office add-ins from trusted, official publisher websites to protect your system from malware or performance issues.

Solution 2

Switch Between Documents Using Word's View Ribbon

If you cannot or prefer not to install third-party software, you can use Word's native window management tools to quickly navigate between all your open documents.

Native Tabbed Interface Solution

Open Multiple Documents in One Window Natively with WPS Office

Unlike Microsoft Word, WPS Office features a built-in tabbed interface right out of the box. You can easily open, view, and manage multiple Word documents within a single application window without downloading any risky third-party add-ins.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your computer.
2. Open a document: Launch WPS Writer and open your first Word document.
3. Add a new tab: Click the '+' icon situated next to the document tab at the top of the screen, or press Ctrl+O, to open another document. It will seamlessly open as a new tab within the same window.
4. Manage your tabs: Click and drag the tabs to reorder them, or right-click any tab to access quick management options like 'Close Other Tabs' or 'Save All'.

Native tabbed viewing for documents with no extra add-ins requiredFully compatible with Microsoft Word formats like .docx and .docAll-in-one interface opens Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files in the same windowLightweight, fast, and completely free to use

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Microsoft Word remove the multiple documents in one window feature?

Microsoft Word shifted to a Single Document Interface (SDI) starting with Word 2013, meaning each document purposefully opens in its own window. This design change was implemented to improve multi-monitor support and make side-by-side document comparison easier on larger screens.

Can I view two documents side-by-side in Word?

Yes. Open both documents, go to the 'View' tab on the ribbon, and click 'View Side by Side' in the Window group. You can also enable 'Synchronous Scrolling' to scroll through both documents simultaneously.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to switch between multiple Word windows?

Yes, you can press 'Ctrl + F6' to quickly cycle through open Microsoft Word document windows. Alternatively, you can use the standard Windows 'Alt + Tab' shortcut to switch between all open application windows.

Does WPS Office open Excel and PowerPoint files in the same tabbed window?

Yes, WPS Office features an all-in-one interface. This means you can open documents, spreadsheets, and presentations concurrently as separate tabs within a single application window, heavily streamlining your workspace.

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