View Side by Side - Excel Glossary

View Side by Side, accessed via the View tab in Excel's ribbon, creates a synchronized or independent split-screen workspace. This feature is particularly valuable in financial analysis, data validation, and project management where comparing versions, tracking changes, or verifying calculations across sources is critical. It works with multiple workbooks or within the same workbook using the Split Panes feature. The windows can be scrolled independently or synchronized, giving users flexibility in how they manage comparison workflows and ensuring data accuracy across complex spreadsheets.

Definition

View Side by Side is an Excel interface feature that displays two workbooks or worksheets simultaneously in split windows, enabling direct comparison of data, formulas, or layouts. It's essential for auditing, reconciliation, and cross-referencing tasks where viewing multiple data sources simultaneously saves time and reduces errors.

Key Points

1Enables simultaneous viewing of two Excel workbooks or worksheets for direct comparison
2Supports synchronized or independent scrolling for flexible data analysis
3Accessed via View tab > View Side by Side command

Practical Examples

→Financial analyst comparing Q3 2023 budget versus actual expenses in separate workbooks to identify variances
→Data entry specialist verifying customer records between a legacy database export and a new CRM spreadsheet

Detailed Examples

Budget Reconciliation

An accounting team opens the proposed budget and actual spending files side by side to verify line items match and identify overspending areas. Synchronized scrolling ensures both sheets move together, making row-by-row comparison seamless and reducing manual navigation errors.

Multi-Version Document Control

Project managers compare version 1.0 and version 2.0 of a project plan spreadsheet to track which tasks changed, which resources were added, and which timelines were adjusted. Independent scrolling allows focusing on different sections of each version simultaneously without losing context.

Best Practices

✓Use synchronized scrolling when comparing similar layouts or matching rows across documents; toggle it off when analyzing different sections.
✓Arrange windows at similar zoom levels (75-100%) to ensure proportional viewing and reduce eye strain during extended comparison tasks.
✓Keep file sizes manageable—close unnecessary workbooks before using View Side by Side to maintain system performance.

Common Mistakes

✕Forgetting to activate Synchronous Scrolling, leading to misaligned comparisons where rows don't match visually across windows.
✕Attempting View Side by Side with only one workbook open—ensure both workbooks are active before launching the feature.
✕Failing to save changes before closing side-by-side view, risking data loss if edits were made in either window.

Tips

✓Use the Arrange All command (View > Arrange All) as an alternative for more customizable window positioning when Side by Side feels limiting.
✓Combine View Side by Side with conditional formatting or cell highlighting to visually mark discrepancies between compared sheets.
✓In large datasets, filter or search before activating side-by-side view to reduce cognitive load and focus comparison on relevant records.

Related Excel Functions

Split Panes Arrange All Synchronous Scrolling Freeze Panes New Window

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use View Side by Side with two sheets in the same workbook?

No, View Side by Side works only with two separate workbooks. For comparing sheets within the same workbook, use the Split Panes feature instead, which divides a single window into horizontal or vertical sections.

What is synchronized scrolling and how do I enable it?

Synchronized scrolling ensures both windows scroll in unison when you scroll in one. When View Side by Side is active, it's enabled by default; you can toggle it via the View tab using the Synchronous Scrolling button.

Does View Side by Side work with different file formats (e.g., .xlsx and .csv)?

Yes, you can compare .xlsx, .csv, .xls, and other Excel-compatible formats side by side. However, formatting and formula preservation depend on the file format; CSV files display data only without formulas or styling.