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Single Document Interface (SDI), linked workbooks and dual monitors

Anonymous
2015-09-16T16:35:54+00:00

I use forecasting models that consist of multiple linked workbooks and I use dual monitors.  With Excel 2010 (w MDI) they opened in one Excel instance and I could switch screens by moving the Excel instance to the second screen (or back to the first) and all the linked workbook files moved at once. I could also open other similar models or earlier versions in another instance and move them as a whole back and forth between monitors for comparison purposes.  With Excel 2013 I have to move each file individually (there are 14 workbook files in some models) and when multiple models are open it's a mess to keep track of which files are with which model version.  I've had to re-install Excel 2010 to resolve this problem.  I realize this is a common complaint about SDI.  Will Excel 2016 resolve this in some manner?

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-09-16T18:23:55+00:00

    Hi Chris,

    I came across similar situation earlier. 

    All my files were 2010.

    I opened up the first file from the folder. To open up a second file I went to start > Excel > opened up a blank file > File > Open > another file you wish to open

    I was able to work on two monitors, two different files & both are Excel 2010

    Hope this helps

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-09-21T20:49:08+00:00

    Re replies from both Bernard and Ketul:  I appreciate your replies.  I am working with two instances of Excel 2010.  Each instance consists of 10-14 linked Workbooks (Excel files).  If I want to switch one  set of linked workbooks (and Excel instance with MDI) to another monitor I could do this in Excel 2010 by just moving the Excel 2010 instance and all open linked workbooks moved with it.  With Excel 2013 it results in having 20-24 SDI windows ("instances") open if I have two sets of linked files opened and I have to move each workbook (from one linked set) individually from one monitor to another. 

    What you described above works fine if you have one workbook (file) open in each instance and its pretty much the same with Excel 2010 and 2013.  The problem is with one or multiple sets of multiple linked workbooks (files).  You have to move each one individually!

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-09-16T17:58:42+00:00

    Could working with two instances of Excel help?

    best wishes

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