Switching Between Open Workbooks
Ctrl + Tab cycles through open Excel files. The View tab's Switch Windows lists them all.
Many Files, One Excel
Excel can hold several workbooks open at once. Knowing how to move between them quickly matters as soon as you start copying between files.
- Ctrl + Tab — Cycles through open files
- View ▸ Switch Windows — Lists them all
- Taskbar — Each file has its own button
How to do it
Ctrl + Tab · View tab ▸ Window group ▸ Switch Windows · the Windows taskbar
Ctrl + F6 does the same job as Ctrl + Tab, and works on some keyboards where Ctrl + Tab does not.
| Item | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Tab | Next open workbook |
| Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Previous workbook |
| Switch Windows | A numbered list |
| Alt + W then W | Keyboard route to the list |
Ways to Switch
Ctrl + Tab ▸ the next open workbook
| Method | Best when | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + Tab | Two or three files | Fast |
| Switch Windows | Many files | Reliable |
| Taskbar buttons | Using the mouse | Fine |
| Alt + Tab | Mixing with other apps | Fast |
| View Side by Side | Comparing two files | Best for comparing |
Result: Ctrl + Tab
For comparing two files, do not switch at all — use View Side by Side.
Do this
- Learn Ctrl + Tab for quick switching
- Use Switch Windows when many files are open
- Use Side by Side to compare rather than switch
Avoid
- Alt + Tabbing through every open app
- Losing track of which file you are editing
- Switching repeatedly instead of comparing side by side
📌 Each open workbook is a separate window, so Alt + Tab also moves between them.
Practice
- Open two workbooks and Ctrl + Tab between them.
- Use View ▸ Switch Windows.
- Try View Side by Side.
Quick quiz: You need to compare two workbooks constantly. What is better than switching?
- Ctrl + Tab faster
- View ▸ View Side by Side with synchronous scrolling
- Copy one into the other
Show answer
View ▸ View Side by Side ▸ Synchronous Scrolling — Comparing is not switching. Side by Side shows both files at the same time.
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