How to Switch Between Open Word or Excel Documents in Office 2019
Question details
The user needs an efficient method to navigate between multiple open Word documents or Excel workbooks.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2019
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Managing and switching between multiple open documents and workbooks simultaneously without application freezing.
- Observed behavior
- The user struggled to switch between open files easily, and experienced an issue where Microsoft Excel locked up while attempting to switch windows.
Ensure your Windows 10 system is fully updated and check that no hidden dialog boxes are active behind your Word or Excel windows, as these can sometimes prevent windows from switching properly.
Use Windows Taskbar Thumbnails
The standard and most visual method for switching between open files of the same application in Windows 10.
Windows 10 automatically groups windows of the same application on the taskbar. You can use the thumbnail preview feature to visually select the exact document or workbook you want to bring to the front.
Locate the Microsoft Word or Excel icon on your Windows 10 taskbar at the bottom of the screen. Hover your mouse cursor over the icon without clicking.
A preview panel displaying small thumbnails of all open documents for that application will appear. Click on the thumbnail of the specific document or workbook you want to view.
Use the Alt + Tab Keyboard Shortcut
A fast, keyboard-only method to seamlessly cycle through all currently open windows on your computer.
Switch Windows Using the Office View Ribbon
Use the built-in Microsoft Office ribbon feature to switch between documents within the same application window.
Manage Multiple Documents Easily with WPS Office Tabbed Interface
Tired of dealing with multiple messy windows or frustrating Excel crashes? WPS Office provides a modern, browser-like tabbed interface. You can open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files all within a single lightweight window, making switching between documents fast and error-free.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office Free from the official website and run the quick installation.
- 2. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Word or Excel documents directly.
- 3. Use Tabs to Switch: Notice that all your open files appear as neat tabs at the very top of the window, allowing you to click and switch between them instantly without using the taskbar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel lock up or freeze when I try to switch windows?
Excel may freeze if it is waiting for user input in a hidden dialog box, if an active add-in is causing system conflicts, or if the Office installation itself is corrupted. Try disabling unnecessary COM Add-ins or running an Office Repair from the Windows Control Panel.
Can I view two Word documents side-by-side in Office 2019?
Yes. Open both documents, navigate to the 'View' tab on the top ribbon menu, and click 'View Side by Side'. This feature automatically snaps both windows next to each other, which is highly useful for comparing documents.
Is there a way to open documents in tabs like a web browser in Microsoft Office?
Microsoft Office 2019 does not natively support a tabbed document interface; each document is forced into its own separate window. If you strongly prefer a unified tabbed interface to organize your files, consider switching to WPS Office.
What should I do if the taskbar doesn't show document thumbnails on hover?
This is controlled by your Windows system settings. Right-click your taskbar, select 'Taskbar settings', and ensure your combining preferences are correct. Additionally, press Win + R, type 'sysdm.cpl', go to the Advanced tab > Performance Settings, and ensure 'Enable Peek' is checked.
