Open Excel in Multiple Windows

by Brett on January 29, 2009

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

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#1]

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#3]

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…”

Open With

Then select the program that you just installed. By default it will be installed at C:\Program Files\Brett Batie\Excel on Multiple Monitors\runExcel.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.

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