Using Microsoft office apps in multiple desktops in Windows 11

Question

Hello,

I bought a new PC with Windows 11, and am excited about using the multiple desktop feature, as I started consulting for several different companies, and was looking to use a different desktop for each company. However, it seems like I cannot use Microsoft office apps in each of the desktops at the same time. For example I would like to be able to make slide decks in PPT in different desktops for different companies. Am I doing something wrong, or is this not possible?

Thanks for the help,

Dave

Answer 1

I just ran through all the options for this same issue (i.e., when originally opening the file, even from another desktop, the file would open in the original desktop that the app was open on) For instance, Excel was originally open on Desktop A, and even though the file navigation occurred on Desktop B, the file still opened in the app on Desktop A)

Here's what I was able to work around: When you click on the task view navigation, you can right click on the app/file you want to move to another desktop. Instead of selecting either of the "show this" prompts (which will move the entire app or just duplicate across desktops), hover over the "move to" selection option. This will allow you to move that one task window to another desktop and will maintain the separation.

This worked with both Excel and PowerPoint which have been my biggest headaches so far. Seems like it should work on others as well if running into the same issue.

Answer 2

I have a related question as I use multiple desktops all the time.

With my apps, when I open an application in a new desktop that is already running in another desktop, my computer switches to the desktop where the program was already running. I have Windows 11. Most frequently, I have this issue with Excel and OneNote.

This is very annoying because I use different desktops for different projects and it is common for me to want to use Excel and OneNote separately in each one.

Answer 3

I really don't see the point of multiple desktops if I can't open different spreadsheets, word docs, etc. in each desktop. If multiple desktops means I can only open unique apps in each one, then it really isn't very useful.

Here are my use cases:

1. different business - I run multiple small businesses. I would like a different desktop for each one. But they all use excel (of course they do!) and I don't want biz 1 spreadsheets open on the biz 2 desktop.
2. online gaming desktop. I use excel spreadsheets there too - I don't want all of my biz spreadsheets open when I'm on that desktop

You get the idea. Please fix, then I will be a faithful multiple desktop user.

Answer 4

Thank you for describing the issue @ahflorida

I, too, have one desktop for each client; and, although parts of it are great; this issue is frustrating!

E.g. Desktop A is for Client A and Desktop B is for Client B.

I am able to use chrome and edge to pull up whatever info I need for each client on each desktop.

I am also able to keep a separate, clean desktop for "BREAK".

I want to have Workbook A open for Client A on Desktop A.

At the same time, I want to have Workbook B open for Client B on Desktop B.

However, at this time, that is not possible. Workbook B will open on Desktop A if I already have excel open on that desktop. I wish this was not the case.

Is there a resolution? If not, I may need to move all work into G-Suite since that does allow for the separation between desktops. I prefer MS Office though; so, would love a workaround if possible!

Answer 5

If this feature relies on multiple instances of PowerPoint, then I wouldn't expect it to work. You can only have a single instance of PPT at a time, unlike Excel and Word, which both allow multiple instances.

PPT can have multiple windows open within the same app, however. It might be possible to move the window of one presentation to another desktop. And apparently you can move the whole app from one desktop to another fairly easily. Have a look here for a couple of ideas:

https://www.lifewire.com/use-multiple-desktops-in-windows-11-6826109