How to View Two Worksheets Side by Side in Excel for Mac
Question details
Users are unable to arrange and view two different worksheets side by side in Excel for Mac because the Arrange All feature is unavailable or malfunctioning.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Attempting to compare or view two different worksheets simultaneously on a Mac screen.
- Observed behavior
- The Arrange All option is unavailable or fails to tile the windows, preventing the user from placing two worksheet windows side by side.
Ensure you have the workbook open, have exited any active cell editing mode, and that your macOS is up to date.
Adjust the Arrange All Settings
The most common reason you cannot arrange windows properly is an incorrect setting in the Arrange dialog or failing to open a new window first.
To view two sheets from the same workbook side by side, Excel requires you to open a second instance of that workbook first. Otherwise, the arrange feature will have nothing to tile.
Navigate to the View tab in the Excel ribbon and click on 'New Window'. This opens a secondary view of your current workbook.
Still on the View tab, click on the 'Arrange All' button.
In the dialog box, select 'Vertical'. If you are comparing two sheets within the same file, ensure 'Windows of active workbook' is checked. If comparing different files, uncheck it.
Click OK. You can now select Sheet 1 in the left window and Sheet 2 in the right window.
Update Excel and Restart Your Mac
Outdated software can cause UI elements like Arrange All to become unresponsive.
Test for Workbook-Specific File Corruption
Sometimes the issue is isolated to a specific corrupted workbook rather than the Excel application itself.
Use WPS Office to View Worksheets Side by Side Seamlessly
If Excel for Mac continues to freeze or gray out the Arrange All feature, switch to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight alternative that fully supports Excel formats and makes comparing multiple worksheets completely hassle-free through its intuitive tabbed interface.
- 1. Open Your File in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office for Mac and open your existing Excel workbook.
- 2. Open a New Window: Go to the View tab and select New Window to duplicate your current workbook view.
- 3. Arrange Side by Side: Click Arrange All, or simply drag the document tabs to the left and right edges of your screen to snap them side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Arrange All button grayed out in Excel for Mac?
This typically happens if the workbook's structure is protected, if multiple sheets are grouped, or if you are currently editing a cell. Press 'Esc' to exit cell editing, and check the Review tab to ensure the workbook is not protected.
Does macOS Split View work with Excel?
Yes, you can use the native macOS Split View. Click and hold the green full-screen button in the upper-left corner of the Excel window, then select 'Tile Window to Left of Screen' or 'Tile Window to Right of Screen'.
How do I sync scrolling when viewing two worksheets?
After arranging your windows side by side, go to the View tab, click on 'View Side by Side', and then click 'Synchronous Scrolling'. This allows both windows to scroll simultaneously.
Can I view multiple files side by side instead of just sheets?
Yes. Open the two separate Excel files you want to compare, go to the View tab, click Arrange All, make sure 'Windows of active workbook' is unchecked, and select Vertical or Horizontal.
