Open Excel in Multiple Windows

In my previous post I mentioned that there was a way to create a bat file to force Excel to open each file in a new window. Opening Excel in multiple windows makes it easier to use Excel across multiple monitors and gives back the standard alt+tab to flip between Excel Spreadsheets. The problem with my previous solution was that the Excel files loose their icons. Unfortunately because the solution uses a bat file the icon cannot be changed. So I took the previous solution and enhanced it a little bit.

OpenOffice Icon

This solution uses the same principle but installs a program instead of using a bat file. This program has an icon so all the associated Excel files will also use that icon. I was originally hoping to use the Microsoft Icon for this program but after looking at their Terms of Use a decided to use the Open Office Icon.

Without further ado the directions to get Excel running on multiple monitors is below:

1. Download the following file and run the installer.

DOWNLOAD: Open Excel in Multiple Windows

If you cannot install this application because you need admin privileges you can download the following file. Then follow the directions below and make sure you browse to the location of where you stored this download (in the 2nd step).
DOWNLOAD: Standalone - Open Excel in Multiple Windows

2. Update the file association for each Excel File.

Right click the excel file and select “Open With…” and then in the window that opens click “Browse…”

Then select the program that you just installed. By default it will be installed at C:Program FilesBrett BatieExcel on Multiple MonitorsrunExcel.exe. Make sure that “Always use the selected program to open this kind of file” is checked in the “Open With” dialog.

Now anytime you open an Excel file it will open a new copy of Excel.

changelog:

1.1 - Fixed a problem where filenames with spaces would not open.


This entry was posted on Thursday, January 29th, 2009 at 12:08 pm and is filed under Microsoft. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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20 Responses to “Open Excel in Multiple Windows”

1. 
   Jason Says:
   February 19th, 2009 at 6:21 am

   Nice work! I was a little dismayed at using a cmd/bat icon as previous posters, but your little app handles things nicely. The strange thing is Excel opens *faster* when clicking on the file now than previously. Makes me think the normal execution method is doing something extra & unnecessary.

   p.s. Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64 & Office 2007.

2. 
   Kyle Says:
   March 2nd, 2009 at 5:26 pm

   Was looking for something like this since it doesn’t seem to be as easy in Vista. Is it possible for me to get a version of this EXE with the Microsoft Excel Icon though? If so, send to throwaway312@gmail.com — Thanks!

3. 
   Brett Says:
   March 9th, 2009 at 5:36 pm

   I am not allowed to distribute the program with Microsoft’s icon due to their Terms of Use.

   However, the program’s icon can be changed using a program such as resource hacker. I just posted an article on how to change a program’s icon to explain the steps to use to modify the icon.

   I hope this helps!

4. 
   R. Gase Says:
   March 14th, 2009 at 12:17 pm

   This is awesome and super helpful. Thanks!

5. 
   Daniel Says:
   March 18th, 2009 at 6:07 am

   Hi Brett,

   hell of a job… as long as I use the tool on my machine at home. Unfortunately my office computer doesn’t allow for software to be installed without admin privileges.

   Any ideas on how to implement your new solution anyway? I tried the old one and the .xls’s lost their icons as described…

6. 
   Brett Says:
   March 18th, 2009 at 9:22 am

   @Daniel – I have added an additional link to the post that will allow you to use the program without needing to install it.

7. 
   Derek Says:
   April 2nd, 2009 at 11:06 am

   Hey Brett, Thanks so much for posting this. I always felt like having 2 monitors was a waste when I used excel, but now I feel I can properly get my moneys worth!

   Thanks again!

8. 
   Kirsty Says:
   April 6th, 2009 at 11:50 am

   Wow – Thanks so much – this also worked on Win XP and Excel 2007. What can I say except that this has fixed what seemed like the biggest oversight. Excel really is the app that most benefits from dual monitors – and now I can use it that way.

9. 
   Alex Says:
   May 4th, 2009 at 1:40 am

   Thank you, very good work, funny that Microsoft didn’t think of this.
   This is the best tool out for excel users, I’ll be sure to pass it along as I go.

10. 
    Britt Says:
    May 19th, 2009 at 11:15 am

    Or you can edit the registry on Vista and Windows 7 and it does the exact same thing as changing the file association through XP. This will not cause any Icon problems or anything.

    Delete the following lines in the registry:
    HKCR\Excel.Sheet.8\shell\Open\ddeexec
    HKCR\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\ddeexec
    and change the below like shown:
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\command
    C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\EXCEL.EXE /e “%1″
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.8\shell\Open\command
    C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\EXCEL.EXE /e “%1″

11. 
    Leon Says:
    June 13th, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    I’ll vouch for Britt’s suggestion.

    I’ve just tried it using Windows 7 RC1 (7100) and Excel 2003 and it works.

    If MS hadn’t modified the way we change Folder Options in Win7, we could just follow the typical instructions from:

    http://blog.drewery.net/2006/08/29/utilising-dual-monitors-with-microsoft-excel-2003/

12. 
    John Cosgrave Says:
    September 25th, 2009 at 12:39 am

    Britt’s suggestion works for me.

    The software solution did not work for me under Vista 64b.

    The MSI file created a new Reg Entry under KEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\command
    of the following type
    command=KEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\command

    command
    REG_MULTI_SZ
    w_1^V8!!!!!!!!!MKKSkEXCELFiles>(jumbled chars) /e

    Which did not work

13. 
    James Cole Says:
    November 5th, 2009 at 12:12 pm

    On Windows 7 64bit with Excel 2007 SP2.

    WHAT DOES NOT WORK:
    1. Tried the registry setting, but I receive the error: “The parameter is incorrect.” and Excel won’t even open.
    Delete the following lines in the registry:
    HKCR\Excel.Sheet.8\shell\Open\ddeexec
    HKCR\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\ddeexec
    and change the below like shown:
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\command
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\EXCEL.EXE /e “%1″
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.8\shell\Open\command
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\EXCEL.EXE /e “%1″

    2. Tried the “Ignore other applications that use DDE” option, and would receive “There was a problem sending the command to the program”

    This program was the only solution that did work. Wish there was more of a fix than a workaround.

    This will get me where I need to be for now. Thanks Brett!

14. 
    James Cole Says:
    November 13th, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    Well I downloaded Office 2010 Beta 2. Same problem! Tried the Tried the “Ignore other applications that use DDE” option again, and still receive “There was a problem sending the command to the program”.

    Luckily this program you made still works with Excel 2010. Thanks.

15. 
    Lori Says:
    December 4th, 2009 at 9:27 am

    Thanks, this was a great help. Easy to use on my work computer, that I don’t have admin rights to :)

16. 
    James Says:
    January 31st, 2010 at 2:49 pm

    You, Sir, are a legend :-)

    Your software works perfectly on my setup (W7 64-bit, Office 2K7).

    Many, many thanks!

17. 
    Adam Fakes Says:
    February 7th, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    How long have I been wanting to be able to just double click and have a CSV and or a XLS open in a new window and not interfere with any other excel sheet open at the the time

    Thanks
    Adam

18. 
    Laszlo Lieszkovszky Says:
    February 20th, 2010 at 2:26 am

    Fantastic! Works like a charm. Thank you!

19. 
    Laszlo L. Says:
    April 15th, 2010 at 6:35 am

    Hi there! Great program, love it. However, in Windows 7 64-bit, it needs to be run with administrative privileges, otherwise it crashes with “This program stopped working…”.

    So, after install you have to:
    find the exe (C:\Program Files (x86)\Brett Batie\Excel on Multiple Monitors\runExcel.exe)
    right-click, select “Troubleshoot Compatibility”
    click “Troubleshoot program”
    check “The program requires additional permissions” and folllow the prompts to save the settings.

    Perhaps an update would be good. Also, it cannot automatically find the path to excel.

20. 
    Martin Seraphim Says:
    August 20th, 2010 at 2:07 am

    Thanks a mil dude!!! I will let everyone know about this great piece of little software.

    you know… you could make a fortune from this….