Sometimes, users encounter identical Excel files or want to compare between files. In that case, Excel view side by side is very useful. However, in some instances, users come across Excel view side by side not working issue. Opened single window, Non-responsive view side by side mainly result in Excel view side by side not working issue.
In this article, we demonstrate multiple tricks that resolve the Excel View Side by Side not working issue.
Excel View Side by Side Not Working: 3 Easy Resolves
Excel offers side by side view for Worksheets or Workbooks of the same or different Workbooks. By going View > Select View Side by Side (in the Window section), users can view multiple files in preferred arrangements (i.e., Tiled, Horizontal, Vertical, or Cascade). But on occasions, users face Excel view side by side is not working. The reasons behind this issue can be the outcome of the following 3 incidents:
Reason 1: Only 1 window is opened in Excel (Caused view side by side greyed out).
Reason 2: The Arrangement of windows (Caused non-responsive view side by side).
Reason 3: Already opened side-by-side windows (Caused view side by side and reset window position not working).
We demonstrate the way-outs to resolve the above reasons in the latter section.
Issue 1: View Side by Side Is Greyed Out
🔄 Let’s assume you want to compare two identical files using Excel View Side by Side feature. So, you go through View > View Side by Side (in the Window section. But surprisingly you see the View Side by Side feature is greyed out.
🔺 The reason behind this gray-out View Side by Side feature is you only have one Excel window or workbook opened in Excel. Use View > New Window (from the Window section) to open another window of the same workbook or different.
🔼 After opening the New Window, you see Excel displays the window number following the file name as depicted in the below screenshot.
🔼 Now, if you check the current status of the View Side by Side feature in the View tab, you see the greyed-out shade has been removed as shown in the below picture. You are good to perform View Side by Side feature for two or more windows.
Issue 2: Non-Responsive Excel View Side by Side
🔺 In cases, you previously executed the View Side by Side feature but now it is not responding. Go to View > Click on Reset Window Position (from the Window section). After that, Excel resets all the window arrangements, and you can choose one of your desired window position to view multiple windows side by side.
Issue 3: Nothing Happens after Executing All Possible Way-Outs
🔄 While working with huge datasets there are incidents of opened files or windows not working for the View Side by Side feature. In those cases, you have to reopen new windows and execute the Excel View Side by Side feature.
🔺 After closing all the windows,
➧ Open your 1st Excel workbook manually or use Excel File > Open.
➧ Staying on the opened workbook, Press CTRL+N or use Excel File > Open to open a new workbook or Excel file from your device directory.
🔼 Afterward, execute View > View Side by Side as directed in the following image. And you see the View Side by Side option is enabled.
Read More: How to View Excel Sheets in Separate Windows
Download Excel Workbook
Practice with the below workbook:
Conclusion
In this article, we discuss and resolve Excel view side by side not working issue. We identify the reasons behind this issue occurring and provide solutions for each of them. Hope you find your desired solution regarding this issue. Comment, if you have further inquiries or have anything to add.
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