Why Excel Opens Multiple Workbooks in Separate Windows (and How to Manage Them)
Question details
The user wants to understand why modern versions of Excel open every workbook in a new, independent window instead of grouping them within the same application window, and how to effectively manage these windows.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening multiple Excel files simultaneously for viewing, comparison, or data entry.
- Observed behavior
- Each workbook opens in its own separate top-level window (Single Document Interface), unlike older versions that grouped them into one master window.
Identify which version of Excel you are using, as this separate window behavior is a permanent design change that primarily affects Excel 2013 and all newer versions.
Manage Multiple Workbooks Using the View Tab
Since the separate window behavior (SDI) is hardcoded in modern Excel and cannot be disabled, the best approach is to use Excel's built-in window management tools to organize your screen.
Starting with Excel 2013, Microsoft introduced the Single Document Interface (SDI) model. This means every workbook gets its own top-level window and ribbon.
While this behavior improves multi-monitor support, it cannot be reverted to the old single-window interface. However, you can organize your screen efficiently using the View tab tools.
Navigate to the 'View' tab on the Excel ribbon at the top of your screen.
Click on 'Arrange All' and choose a layout (Tiled, Horizontal, Vertical, or Cascade) to automatically resize and see all open workbooks simultaneously.
Click 'View Side by Side' to compare two workbooks next to each other. You can enable 'Synchronous Scrolling' just below it to scroll through both files at the same time.
Click 'Switch Windows' (often located on the far right of the View ribbon) to open a dropdown menu and quickly jump between all your currently open workbooks.
Tired of Cluttered Windows? Switch to a Tabbed Workspace
If managing multiple separate Excel windows is cluttering your screen and Taskbar, WPS Office offers an elegant solution. WPS Spreadsheet uses a highly efficient tabbed interface—much like a web browser—allowing you to keep all your open workbooks neatly organized within a single application window.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
- 2. Launch WPS Spreadsheet: Open WPS Spreadsheet and double-click to open your first Excel file.
- 3. Open files in new tabs: Click the '+' icon next to your open document tab at the top of the window to open or create additional workbooks within the exact same window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I revert Excel back to the old single-window interface?
No. Microsoft permanently replaced the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) with the Single Document Interface (SDI) starting in Excel 2013. There is no setting, checkbox, or registry hack to revert this behavior in modern versions of Excel.
Why did Microsoft change Excel to open separate windows?
The change was primarily made to improve multi-monitor support. With the Single Document Interface (SDI), users can easily drag different workbooks to different physical monitors, which was difficult and clunky with the older single-window (MDI) model.
Is there a way to view all my open Excel workbooks at once?
Yes, you can navigate to the View tab and select 'Arrange All'. From there, you can choose Tiled, Horizontal, Vertical, or Cascade to neatly display all open workbooks on your screen at the same time.
Are there tools to get tabs in Excel like a web browser?
While there used to be third-party add-ins that forced a tabbed interface onto Microsoft Excel, an easier, safer, and completely free alternative is switching to WPS Office. WPS Spreadsheet natively supports opening multiple workbooks in browser-like tabs within a single window.
