Solved How do I open two Word documents in Windows7?

[RodPitcher]

Greetings all.
How do I open two Word documents in Windows7?

In XP I could just click on two documents and both would open. That doesn't work in Windows 7. When I click on the second document the first one disappears.

I often need two documents open so that I can copy and paste between them, see any changes I'm making and compare the two. Having the two open at the same time is much more convenient than having to keep opening and closing them as I have to do in Windows7.

I tried some suggestions that I found on the internet, such as selecting the two documents and clicking, or using OPEN but in each case only one document opens.

I can open two of other types of files, such as PowerPoint shows, so it appears to be related to Word somehow.

I'm using Word 2003.

Rod.

 

[Qdos]

Word 2003 can't open the newer Word .docx format or Powerpoint presentations. It's been so long since I used it that I can barely remember its functions - but it may need to be installed in XP compatibility mode if you would like it to work properly in Windows 7...

 

[Ztruker]

I have this squirreled away.

Posted by Michael Lanphear at Annoyances.org - re: Opening separate instances of MS Word (Windows XP Discussion Forum)

Open a Word document
Click on Tools / Options

On the view tab (Show sub-heading) place a check in the box "Windows in Taskbar."

Works for me.

 

[RodPitcher]

Thanks for that information. It works. It's so easy when you know how.
Rod

 

[Ztruker]

No idea why that works though. I don't understand how "Windows in Taskbar" tells Word to open separate windows.

 

[RodPitcher]

The important thing is that it solves the problem.
Thanks again.
Rod

 

[Imperfect1]

Unless I'm misunderstanding your question, you can also view two (or more) separate Word docs on the screen by opening one of the Word pages you want on the screen and clicking on "ArrangeAll."

(PS In order for this function to be MOST effective, close everything else --
i.e. the docs/windows you don't want on the screen.)

 

[churin]

I am using WORD in Office 2010 Suite. How can I solve the same problem as OP posted?

 

[DeaconFrost]

I am using WORD in Office 2010 Suite. How can I solve the same problem as OP posted?

I guess I'm not understanding the issue, but why can't you just open both files? I often have multiple files open at the same time, copying content around.

 

[Trapper]

Open the Doc you want in Word 2010 then select the view tab. To the right of the ribbon is a section called Window, select New Window and another version of your open doc is displayed. Then left click on the toolbar and select Show windows side by side. You can now switch to either version.
Hopefully that will work for you, it does for me!

 

[churin]

Open the Doc you want in Word 2010 then select the view tab. To the right of the ribbon is a section called Window, select New Window and another version of your open doc is displayed. Then left click on the toolbar and select Show windows side by side. You can now switch to either version.
Hopefully that will work for you, it does for me!

Sorry for my late reply. I am not getting notice for any new post on the thread.
I gather that there is no way to open multiple separate word windows.

 

[Barman58]

As well as the various changes to the MDI (multi Document Interface), in word itself over recent versions there is also the change to the default organisation of the windows taskbar.

In order to see multiple open documents you have to rest your cursor on the Word taskbar icon, or set the taskbar options to never combine which will display separate entries for each window/document

in order to see multiple windows on screen in Word 2010 use the View : Arrange windows Ribbon command

 

[Trapper]

I agree with Barman 58, there is no problem viewing multiple docs in Word 2010. I have just opened 4 separate docs and was able to copy and paste between them.

As noted the important factor is the Task Bar icon, you will see a faint Word icon copy behind the main Word icon for each doc open, they are like shadows. Put you cursor over the main icon and all the open docs will be seen then use the task bar options (left click) to view side by side etc.