Discover the Simple Trick to Viewing Google Sheets Side by Side

Discover the Simple Trick to Viewing Google Sheets Side by Side

Have you ever found yourself needing to compare data in two Google Sheets but struggling to figure out how? Well, fear not, because I’m here to show you a nifty little trick that will have you viewing those Sheets side by side in no time.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’re worried it’s going to be complicated and time-consuming. But trust me, it’s actually quite simple. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll be a pro at viewing Google Sheets side by side in no time!

Step 1: Open the Google Sheets You Want to Compare

The first thing you need to do is open the two Google Sheets that you want to view side by side. Make sure you have both Sheets ready and accessible, and don’t worry about any special settings or configurations.

Step 2: Enable the Side by Side Viewing Mode

Here’s where the magic happens. Look at the top right corner of your Google Sheets screen and find the three vertical dots. Click on them, and a menu will appear. Look for the option that says “Arrange sheets” or something similar. Click on it, and another menu will pop up.

In the second menu, you’ll see a few different options for how to arrange your Sheets. Look for the one that says “Side by side.” Click on it, and voila! Your Google Sheets will now be neatly arranged side by side, allowing you to easily compare and analyze the data.

Step 3: Adjust the Size of Each Sheet

Now that your Google Sheets are side by side, you might want to adjust the size of each sheet to make it easier to work with. Simply click on the dividing line between the two Sheets and drag it left or right to increase or decrease the size of each sheet as desired.

Step 4: Start Comparing!

With your Google Sheets now side by side and perfectly sized, you’re ready to start comparing and analyzing the data. Take your time to carefully review the information in each sheet, and make any necessary observations or notes.

Remember, this side by side viewing mode is not only useful for comparing data but also for cross-referencing information or even copying and pasting between sheets. It’s a powerful tool that you’ll find yourself using again and again.

So there you have it – a simple yet effective way to view Google Sheets side by side. With just a few clicks, you can improve your productivity and streamline your data analysis process. Give it a try, and see how much easier it makes your work!

Even though Google Sheets is a great alternative to Microsoft’s Excel, there are still some features that Google’s app just can’t provide. One of the options that’s missing by default is the ability to view two or more spreadsheets side by side.

Being able to look at two copies of the same file or two completely different spreadsheets can be really helpful. Luckily, there’s a solution to overcome this in Google Sheets and it might be easier than you think.

How to View Spreadsheets Side by Side

First, it’s important to understand that Google Sheets doesn’t let you open two spreadsheets next to each other like Excel does. But there’s a workaround – you can use the native features of your operating system to work with your browser windows.

Since Google Sheets is an online tool, you always open it using a web browser. You can choose any browser you like, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera, or any other. So, to get that side-by-side view, all you have to do is rearrange your browser windows in a way that’s most comfortable for you.

Checking Out the Same Spreadsheet

One of the most common things I do when working with a big spreadsheet is comparing different parts. Instead of scrolling through all the rows and columns to switch between datasets, it’s much easier to keep them open side by side.

In Microsoft Excel, you can use the “Split View” option to do this within the app. However, Google Sheets doesn’t have that feature. Instead, you have to manipulate your browser windows to achieve the same result. Let me show you how to do it in Google Chrome.

Since we’re working with the same spreadsheet, let’s go through the following steps to learn the fastest way to do this.

  1. Open Google Chrome and go to the Google Sheets file you want to work with.
  2. When the spreadsheet opens, right-click its browser tab.
  3. Choose “Duplicate”.
  4. A new tab will open in the same browser window, and it should be the same file as in the previous tab.
  5. Click and drag the tab out of that browser window.
  6. A new window will open with that tab, giving you two Chrome windows with the same file.

Now it’s just a matter of organizing these two windows. The easiest way to do it is by using Windows keyboard shortcuts.

  1. If it’s not already maximized, make sure to maximize the first browser window with your spreadsheet.
  2. Now simultaneously press the “Windows” key on your keyboard and the “Left Arrow” key.
  3. The windows should resize, occupying the left half of the screen.
  4. Go to the second Chrome window with the duplicate page of your spreadsheet.
  5. Again, simultaneously press the “Windows” key and the “Right Arrow” key.
  6. The other window will automatically resize to cover the right half of the screen.

Of course, you can always arrange the windows manually. If your browser window is maximized, click the “Restore Down” button first (the one next to the close button in the upper-right corner of the window). Then, click and drag one of the corners to resize it.

Checking Out Two Different Spreadsheets

So, here’s the deal – if you want to view two spreadsheets at the same time, it’s pretty simple. No need to hit that “Duplicate” button.

Here’s what you gotta do: first, open each spreadsheet in its own browser window. Then, click on the tab for one of the files and drag it out of that window. Boom! Now you’ve got two browser windows, each with its own spreadsheet. You can rearrange and resize them however you like, using the tips from before.

Now, for those of you lucky enough to have two monitors, this next trick is for you. Open your Google Sheets files in separate browser windows and you can easily maximize each window on its own monitor. You can even look at four files at once with a split screen, 50-50. And hey, there’s no limit to how many spreadsheets you can open this way, as long as they’re big enough for you to work with.

Getting Cozy with Spreadsheets

So there you have it, my friend. I hope this guide has helped you crack the code on viewing spreadsheets side by side. Whether you click around or use the Alt+Tab shortcut, you’ll find that Google Sheets can handle most of the tasks you need to get done, even though Excel may have more bells and whistles.

Have you figured out how to arrange your spreadsheets for that side-by-side glory? Or maybe you’ve got a better trick up your sleeve? Share your experiences in the comments below because we’re dying to know!

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