Other PDF Issues

How to Fix Acrobat DC Opening Only One PDF at a Time

Natalie Taylor Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to configure Acrobat DC to open multiple PDFs in new tabs simultaneously rather than being restricted to viewing a single document at a time.

How to Fix Acrobat DC Opening Only One PDF at a Time

Product: Adobe Acrobat DC
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening new PDF files or email attachments when another document is already open in the application.
Observed behavior: New PDFs do not open automatically. The user is forced to close the existing document first or open the new file manually from within the software.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved any unsaved changes in your currently open PDF documents, as adjusting these preferences will require you to restart the application.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable Tabbed Viewing in Acrobat Preferences

Adjusting the document preferences is the most direct way to ensure multiple PDFs open in separate tabs within the same window.

When upgrading from older versions like Acrobat Reader, specific viewing preferences might be reset or changed. Enabling the tabbed interface allows for a smoother workflow when handling multiple documents.

Open Acrobat Preferences

Launch Adobe Acrobat DC. Click on 'Edit' in the top menu bar, and select 'Preferences' from the dropdown list.

Navigate to Documents Settings

In the left-hand sidebar of the Preferences dialog box, locate and click on the 'Documents' category.

Enable the Tabs Option

Look under the 'Open Settings' section and check the box next to 'Open documents as new tabs in the same window (requires restart)'.

Save and Restart

Click 'OK' at the bottom of the window to save your changes, then completely close and reopen Acrobat DC for the setting to take effect.

Enable Tabbed Viewing in Acrobat Preferences

Tabs Enabled: Future PDFs, including email attachments, will now automatically open in a new tab alongside your existing documents.

Solution 2

Verify Default App Status and Update Acrobat

Ensure Acrobat is fully recognized by your operating system and email client as the default handler for PDF attachments.

Effortless PDF Tabbed Viewing

Open Multiple PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office

If you are tired of applications struggling to manage multiple files, WPS Office offers a powerful built-in PDF reader that natively organizes multiple documents in a clean, tabbed interface within a single lightweight window.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free suite and follow the installation instructions.
2. Set as Default PDF Reader: Right-click any PDF file on your computer, choose 'Open with', select WPS Office, and check 'Always use this app to open .pdf files'.
3. Enjoy Tabbed Viewing: Double-click multiple PDFs or email attachments; they will seamlessly open as separate tabs within the same WPS Office window.

Natively supports opening multiple PDFs in organized tabs by default.Fully compatible with standard Adobe PDF formats and features.Lightweight application that uses minimal system resources.Easily view, edit, convert, and annotate PDF files in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my PDFs stop opening in tabs after an update?

Major software updates or upgrading from Adobe Reader to Acrobat DC can sometimes reset custom preferences to their default settings. You will need to manually re-enable the tabbed document setting in the Preferences menu.

Can I view two tabs side by side in the same window?

Yes. If tabbed viewing is enabled, you can click and drag a tab out to create a new window, or use the 'Window' > 'Tile' options in Acrobat to view multiple open tabs side by side.

Why won't my email attachments open automatically even with tabs enabled?

This usually indicates a communication error between your email client and the PDF software. Setting your PDF reader as the absolute default app in your system settings usually resolves this issue.

PDF Troubleshooting