The Best Ways To Switch Between Excel Workbooks

Struggling to keep track of multiple Excel workbooks? You’re not alone. Get organized in no time with these easy-to-follow techniques. Learn the best ways to quickly switch between open Excel workbooks.

Basic ways to switch between Excel workbooks

Know these three techniques for switching between Excel workbooks with ease:

1. Keyboard shortcuts for quick navigation.
2. The taskbar for document preview.
3. And the View tab for customizing your view.

Each has its own advantages!

Image credits: chouprojects.com by Adam Duncun

Using keyboard shortcuts

Using shortcut keys to switch between Excel workbooks is an efficient way of navigating documents. Here are six ways to use keyboard shortcuts:

• Pressing Ctrl + Tab switches between multiple Excel files.
• Ctrl + F6 allows you to move to the next open workbook.
• Shift + F11 helps you add new worksheets quickly.
• F12 launches the Save As dialog box, where you can rename and save your file separately.
• Ctrl + F9 minimizes your workbook to its title bar for easy access to other files.
• Ctrl + Shift + 2 applies a bold formatting style instantly.

Additionally, it’s crucial to remember that different versions of the software may have different hotkeys. It’s best to check the available options depending on your version.

A unique aspect of using shortcuts is that not only does it save time, but it also enhances productivity significantly. Learning and using essential keyboard shortcuts effectively will help improve workflow and perform tasks faster.

According to PCMag, Microsoft Office Suite has over one billion users globally.

Don’t waste time searching for Excel workbooks, just let your taskbar do the switching.

Using the taskbar

One effective method to switch between Excel workbooks is by utilizing the taskbar. This helps in swiftly transitioning from one workbook to another without the need to use the mouse or keyboard shortcuts.

Here is a 4-step guide on how to use the taskbar to switch between Excel workbooks:

1. 1. Open all the workbooks you need and minimize them.
2. Next, right-click on the Excel icon present in the taskbar at the bottom of your screen.
3. Select the desired workbook from the list of opened workbooks that appears.
4. Finally, click on your selected workbook, and it will open as an active tab.

While using this method, it’s essential to ensure that you have pinned Excel to your taskbar for easy access.

A noteworthy mention is that when we open multiple workbooks simultaneously, we often require swift switching between tabs. The taskbar proves helpful in such a scenario as it provides perceptible icons for each window along with real-time preview through Aero Peek functionality.

In history, Windows Task Manager initially included only two options: End Task or Switch To. In Windows NT 4.0 version released in 1996, Microsoft added ‘Bring To Front’ as an additional option intending to boost user productivity by quickly managing their tasks from one screen giving rise to taskbar functionalities over time.

Why toggle between workbooks manually when the View tab can be your wingman?

Using the View tab

The screen can provide several options to switch between Excel workbooks, and one of them involves manipulating the View tab in a specific manner. Here’s how you can use it effortlessly.

1. Open both workbooks that you want to switch between.
2. Now, click on the ‘View’ tab located at the top left-hand corner of your sheet.
3. Finally, tap on the icon switched named ‘Switch Windows’. You’ll see both workbooks listed there, choose one you want to switch to and click on that option.

Additionally, using this method allows users to have better control over all open workbooks with charts and graphs by arranging them neatly for ease of access.

Interestingly, professionals who crucially rely on data management systems often employ this technique to keep track of comprehensive financial records across multiple interrelated spreadsheets.

Ready to take your Excel switching game to the next level? These advanced methods will have you flipping between workbooks like a pro.

Advanced ways to switch between Excel workbooks

Boost your productivity! Get to know the advanced techniques for switching between Excel workbooks. This article reveals the best solutions. How to switch quickly? Use the Windows taskbar, the ‘Switch Windows’ feature, or the Alt+Tab keyboard shortcut.

Image credits: chouprojects.com by Harry Jones

Using the Windows taskbar

The task of switching between multiple Excel workbooks may seem daunting, but using the Windows taskbar can make it significantly more manageable. Here’s how you can efficiently use this method to switch between Excel workbooks:

1. Open both the workbooks that you want to navigate between.
2. Next, locate the Excel icon on your Windows taskbar. Right-click on it to display all open workbooks.
3. Select the workbook you wish to switch to by clicking on it.
4. If you want to switch back and forth between the two workbooks frequently, click and hold the workbook in question and select “Pin to Taskbar.” This will pin both workbooks to your taskbar for quick access.
5. To close a specific workbook, right-click on its icon and select “Close window.”

In addition to providing easy access through pinning, the Windows taskbar also displays a miniature preview of each workbook when hovered upon with a cursor.

Did you know that according to Microsoft Corporation, over 120 million people worldwide use Microsoft Office 365?

Switching between Excel workbooks has never been easier – just like playing a game of whack-a-mole with windows.

Using the Switch Windows option

When working with multiple Excel workbooks, it is essential to know how to switch between windows smoothly. One way to do this is by utilizing the ‘Switch Windows’ option.

1. Open multiple Excel workbooks that you want to switch between.
2. Click on the ‘View’ tab on the top menu bar.
3. Select ‘Switch Windows.’ A dropdown list of all open Excel windows will appear.
4. Click on the window you want to switch to, and it will become active.

It’s that simple! No more fussing around when navigating through several open workbook files.

Besides being an effective way of switching between different open workbooks, the Switch Windows option allows for seamless multitasking and increases productivity. It saves valuable time as it eliminates the need for constantly flipping through every file one-by-one until finding what you are looking for.

Implementing this approach can be particularly helpful when working on large projects that require keeping track of various related files at a go.

Alt+Tab helps you switch Excel workbooks faster than your boss can ask you to do it manually.

Using the Alt+Tab keyboard shortcut

When working with multiple Excel workbooks simultaneously, one useful method to switch between them is by using the Alt+Tab keyboard shortcut. This can save time and improve productivity, especially when dealing with a large number of open workbooks.

1. Ensure that all the desired workbooks are open.
2. Press and hold down the Alt key on your keyboard.
3. Whilst keeping Alt pressed down, tap on the Tab key to navigate through the open workbooks. Release both keys once you get to the desired workbook.

This shortcut allows quick and efficient movement from one workbook to another, without having to search manually for each one.

It is important to note that while this method can be convenient, it may not be suitable for those who are not familiar with keyboard shortcuts or have limited dexterity.

By using this technique, users can easily move back and forth between different Excel workbooks in an efficient manner. This allows them to focus more on their tasks at hand rather than spending time navigating between applications.

Historically, this functionality has been available in various Windows operating systems and has continued to be a commonly used method for switching between windows within a program.

Adding add-ins is like having a personal Excel assistant who knows all the shortcuts to switch between workbooks.

Using add-ins to switch between Excel workbooks

Add-ins are one of the best shortcuts to switch between workbooks in Excel. Here’s a 6-step guide to using add-ins to switch between Excel workbooks effectively:

1. Install the add-in by downloading it from the internet.
2. Open the workbook where you want to use the add-in.
3. Click on the “Add-ins” tab in the Excel ribbon.
4. Select the add-in from the list of installed add-ins.
5. Activate the add-in by clicking the “Activate” button.
6. Use the add-in to easily switch between workbooks with a single click.

It is important to note that each add-in may have its unique installation and activation process. Hence, it is recommended to follow the instructions provided by the add-in developer.

Using an add-in can save time and improve efficiency when switching between Excel workbooks. Additionally, it eliminates the need to navigate through different windows and tabs, giving you a more streamlined and organized workflow.

A helpful suggestion to further improve the use of add-ins is to customize keyboard shortcuts for frequently used add-ins. This can be done by going to the “File” tab, selecting “Options,” and then choosing “Customize Ribbon.” From there, you can assign your preferred shortcuts to specific add-ins.

Image credits: chouprojects.com by Harry Arnold

FAQs about The Best Ways To Switch Between Excel Workbooks

What are the best ways to switch between Excel workbooks?

There are three main methods to switch between Excel workbooks efficiently:

• Using the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut
• Using Ctrl + Tab keyboard shortcut
• Using the View tab in the ribbon to switch between open workbooks

How do I use the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut to switch between Excel workbooks?

Pressing the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut allows you to quickly switch between open applications, including Excel workbooks. To navigate between Excel workbooks, continue to hold the Alt key down and press the Tab key until you come to the desired workbook. Release both keys to select that workbook.

How do I use the Ctrl + Tab keyboard shortcut to switch between Excel workbooks?

The Ctrl + Tab keyboard shortcut works exclusively in Excel, allowing you to switch between open workbooks in the same application. Pressing Ctrl + Tab will cycle between the open workbooks in the order in which they were last accessed.

Can I customize the keyboard shortcuts for switching between Excel workbooks?

Yes, you can customize the keyboard shortcuts in Excel by going to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. Click the Customize button next to Keyboard Shortcuts and then scroll down to the appropriate command. You can then assign a new keyboard shortcut of your choosing.

What is the benefit of using the View tab to switch between open Excel workbooks?

The View tab in the ribbon allows you to see a thumbnail preview of each open workbook, making it easier to quickly identify and switch to the desired one. This approach also does not require the use of keyboard shortcuts.

Is there a way to lock certain Excel workbooks or prevent them from being closed?

Yes, by protecting the workbook structure and/or workbook windows, you can prevent certain Excel workbooks from being closed or altered accidentally. To protect the workbook structure, go to Review > Protect Workbook. To protect workbook windows, go to View > Window > Protect Workbook.