How to View Two Word Documents Side by Side on a Mac
Question details
The user needs a way to view, compare, or edit two Microsoft Word documents simultaneously side by side on macOS.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Comparing or editing two Word documents side by side on a Mac screen.
- Observed behavior
- Word for Mac does not natively support the View Side by Side feature found in the Windows version, requiring users to find alternative ways to arrange their document windows.
Ensure both Word documents you wish to compare are opened in Microsoft Word for Mac. Note that Word for Mac (including version 16.48 and later) lacks a dedicated 'View Side by Side' button, so you will need to utilize macOS window management features.
Use the macOS Split View Feature
Leverage the built-in Mac Split View functionality to perfectly snap two Word documents side by side without manual dragging.
macOS has a native Split View feature that allows you to fill your screen with two apps or windows. This is the most efficient workaround for comparing two Word documents on a Mac.
Move your cursor to the top-left corner of the first Word document window and hover over or click and hold the green full-screen button.
Select 'Tile Window to Left of Screen' or 'Tile Window to Right of Screen' from the drop-down menu that appears.
The chosen window will fill one side of the screen. On the other side, click on your second opened Word document to fill the remaining space.
Manually Resize and Arrange Document Windows
Manually drag and adjust the edges of your Word windows if you prefer not to enter full-screen mode.
Use the Arrange All Command (Vertical View)
Use Word's native 'Arrange All' feature to automatically stack multiple documents on your screen.
Easily View Documents Side by Side in WPS Office
Since Microsoft Word for Mac lacks native side-by-side comparison features, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative with seamless Microsoft Word format compatibility, a familiar interface, and excellent tab and window management for document comparison.
- 1. Open your documents in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office for Mac and open the two Word documents you wish to compare.
- 2. Separate the document tabs: Click and hold the document tab at the top of the interface, then drag it out of the main window to create a separate, independent window.
- 3. Arrange side by side: Use the macOS Split View feature or manually place the two independent WPS Office windows side by side for easy comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 'View Side by Side' button missing in Word for Mac?
Microsoft has not implemented the 'View Side by Side' feature in Word for Mac. This specific functionality is currently exclusive to the Windows version of Microsoft Office.
Can I use Synchronous Scrolling to compare documents on a Mac?
Because the native 'View Side by Side' feature is absent in Word for Mac, the Synchronous Scrolling feature (which relies on it) is also not supported natively. You must scroll each document independently.
Does the 'Arrange All' button place documents side by side?
No. In Word for Mac, clicking the 'Arrange All' button on the View tab will automatically stack your open document windows vertically (one positioned above the other) rather than horizontally side by side.
