How to Tile Multiple PDF Windows After Acrobat Tabs Update
Question details
The user wants to display multiple PDFs side by side using the Window > Tile feature, which is prevented by the new document tabs interface.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Arranging multiple PDF documents side by side to perform page editing and drag-and-drop workflows.
- Observed behavior
- PDFs open as nested tabs within a single window by default, making the Window > Tile option ineffective for side-by-side viewing.
Ensure you have saved any ongoing edits in your PDF documents before modifying application preferences or separating windows, as these changes will rearrange your workspace.
Disable Document Tabs in Acrobat Preferences
Turning off the document tabs feature forces Adobe Acrobat to open every PDF in a separate window, fully restoring the traditional Window > Tile functionality.
By default, newer versions of Adobe Acrobat Pro DC consolidate all open documents into a single window using tabs. While this saves screen space, it prevents you from using the Tile feature to view files simultaneously. Disabling this preference reverts Acrobat to its legacy multi-window behavior.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. Go to the 'Edit' menu at the top left and select 'Preferences' (or press Ctrl+K on Windows).
In the Preferences dialog box, locate and click on 'General' under the Categories list on the left side.
Find the checkbox labeled 'Open documents as new tabs in the same window (requires restart)' and uncheck it.
Click 'OK' to save your changes and restart Adobe Acrobat. Open multiple PDFs, and navigate to 'Window' > 'Tile' to arrange them side by side.
Drag Tabs to Create Separate Windows
If you prefer keeping the tabs feature enabled for general use, you can manually separate specific documents into their own windows temporarily.
Enable Multiple Instances in Foxit Reader
If you use Foxit Reader as an alternative, you can adjust its settings to allow multiple instances, enabling side-by-side tiling.
View Multiple PDFs Side-by-Side in WPS Office
WPS Office includes a powerful, intuitive PDF editor that natively handles multiple document tabs. You can effortlessly drag tabs into separate windows to compare files, copy text, or transfer pages without navigating through complex settings.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office, then open your desired PDF files in the built-in PDF viewer.
- 2. Drag the Tab: Click and hold the document tab located at the top of the interface.
- 3. Create a New Window: Drag the tab away from the tab bar and release it to create a new, independent window.
- 4. Position and Edit: Snap the windows side by side to comfortably compare contents or drag and drop elements between the files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I use the Window > Tile option in Acrobat anymore?
Recent updates to Adobe Acrobat Pro DC introduced a tabbed interface as the default viewing mode. When multiple documents are grouped into tabs within a single window, the traditional tiling feature cannot arrange them side by side until those tabs are separated into individual windows.
Can I drag and drop pages between PDF tabs in the same window?
No, you cannot drag and drop pages directly between tabs within a single Acrobat window. You must first separate the documents into distinct, side-by-side windows (either by dragging the tab out or disabling tabs in preferences) before moving pages between them.
How do I return a separated PDF window back into a tab?
If you have dragged a PDF into its own independent window, you can easily restore it by clicking and dragging its title bar or tab back into the tab bar of your main Adobe Acrobat window.
