# Microsoft Excel - An extremely basic question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-excel-an-extremely-basic-question/823941>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 3, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-excel-an-extremely-basic-question/823941 "2018-11-03T19:16:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-excel-an-extremely-basic-question/823941/1 "2018-11-03T19:16:31Z")

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When using Excel, I occasionally want to have 2 spreadsheets open at once, side by side.

I notice that I cannot do this. When I open a second one, the first one closes.

What’s the skinny?  
mmm

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**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-excel-an-extremely-basic-question/823941/2 "2018-11-03T19:22:01Z")

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If you demaximize the window, can you open another spreadsheet in another window?

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**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-excel-an-extremely-basic-question/823941/3 "2018-11-03T19:38:45Z")

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This happens when you open a new worksheet in an instance of Excel that’s already running (the old spreadsheet doesn’t close, it just goes into the background). Try opening a new instance of Excel from the start menu, then open the sheet you want.

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**Author:** ![Daylate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-excel-an-extremely-basic-question/823941/4 "2018-11-03T22:42:29Z")

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also, try clicking “Open a new window”. This should bring up your disappearing spread sheet on the screen.

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**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2018, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-excel-an-extremely-basic-question/823941/5 "2018-11-04T01:58:53Z")

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Thanks, all, I appreciate the assist.  
mmm