Alt+Tab Switcher Showing More Than 1 Option for the Same Application!!

[WinSlevin]

Please help. I'm going insane.

Why, when I hit Alt+Tab, does any application show more than once on the selection pane?????


Please see the attached .jpeg for better explanation.


Thanks in advance!!

 

[WinSlevin]

Anybody?

 

[Sir George]

Please help. I'm going insane.

Why, when I hit Alt+Tab, does any application show more than once on the selection pane?????


Please see the attached .jpeg for better explanation.


Thanks in advance!!

Do you have more than one instance of that particular spreadsheet open?

HTH

 

[karlsnooks]

WinSlevin,

WIN + TAB

WIN = key with microsoft logo on top.

 

[F5ing]

Does it only happen with Excel? Or only for apps run in compatability mode?

Do you see the duplication when you use Win + tab?

 

[WinSlevin]

Do you have more than one instance of that particular spreadsheet open?

No. Multiple spreadsheets, yes, but I do not open more than one copy of each.

WinSlevin,

WIN + TAB

WIN = key with microsoft logo on top.

No thank you.

I do appreciate the suggestion, but that is a completely seperate function than Alt+Tab.

1. Does it only happen with Excel?
2. Or only for apps run in compatability mode?
3. Do you see the duplication when you use Win + tab?

1. It seems to only happen with Excel, yes.
2. I don't fully understand "compatability mode" so I'm not sure.
3. I've never checked! But I will immediately the next time it happens, and report back.



Thanks for the input so far, everyone!

 

[WinSlevin]

Update:

1. It seems to only happen with Excel, and when in Compatibility Mode.

___a. What exactly is "Compatibility Mode"; can I toggle it on and off?


2. Yes, when cycling through applications using Cmd+Tab it also shows the duplicate window... but as one of the smaller options.

___a. Can you not cycle through each open file using Cmd+Tab? It seems that if I have multiple Excel files open, that only 1 will show as a "large" option, and all other Excel files are smaller and cannot be selected. Strangely, this is not the case with files; if I have multiple files open, each file is a selectable option while cycling through using Cmd+Tab.

 

[F5ing]

Update:

1. It seems to only happen with Excel, and when in Compatibility Mode.

___a. What exactly is "Compatibility Mode"; can I toggle it on and off?

Which version of Office are you using?

If you have multiple docs opened in Word will it do the same thing? Try it.

2. Yes, when cycling through applications using Cmd+Tab it also shows the duplicate window... but as one of the smaller options.

___a. Can you not cycle through each open file using Cmd+Tab? It seems that if I have multiple Excel files open, that only 1 will show as a "large" option, and all other Excel files are smaller and cannot be selected. Strangely, this is not the case with files; if I have multiple files open, each file is a selectable option while cycling through using Cmd+Tab.

Does Cmd+Tab refer to Win+Tab? I'm not sure what you mean in 2___a. Can you rephrase it? I'm not sure of the difference when you say "if I have multiple Excel files open" vs "if I have multiple files open".

There may be something in Excel's Options dialog box that determines how it's represented in Alt+Tab, Win+Tab, Taskbar, etc. when you have multiple workbook files open.

 

[fseal]

If each alt-tab entry for excel points to a different open spreadsheet then there is your answer

 

[F5ing]

If each alt-tab entry for excel points to a different open spreadsheet then there is your answer

That's what I thought at first, but the OP says there's two entries for a single spreadsheet. Check out the OP's screenshot; they look a little different but after zooming in a little they look as though they might be the same.

 

[WinSlevin]

Which version of Office are you using?

If you have multiple docs opened in Word will it do the same thing? Try it.

1. Office 2010
2. It does not seem to do it with Word - BUT - i just tried quickly, and this "Compatibility Mode" - (which I still haven't read into so still don't understand) - may have to do with the issue. It doesn't ALWAYS happen.

Does Cmd+Tab refer to Win+Tab? I'm not sure what you mean in 2___a. Can you rephrase it? I'm not sure of the difference when you say "if I have multiple Excel files open" vs "if I have multiple files open".

Yes; Cmd+Tab should be Win+Tab.

There may be something in Excel's Options dialog box that determines how it's represented in Alt+Tab, Win+Tab, Taskbar, etc. when you have multiple workbook files open.

That would be great!

A quick run through the preferences within Excel I didn't find it, but I only had a quick minute to poke around.

Thank you for that suggestion!

 

[F5ing]

Does Word run in compatability mode as well?

I don't think Office 2010 apps should be using compatability mode.

Find the Excel entry in the Windows Start Menu, right click on it and click properties. You should find a Compatability tab in the Properties window. You'll see what Compatability mode is meant for.

 

[ryanStefani]

I was having the same problem and solved it on Office 2007 by using unchecking the "Show all windows in the Taskbar" option under the Office Button > Excel Options > Advanced.