Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 12, 2022)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365
David has a large worksheet that he needs to view in three different windows and have them scroll all at the same time. He knows how to use "view side by side" and turn on synchronous scrolling, but it seems to only work for two windows. David wonders if there is a way to do it for three.
There is no way to do synchronous scrolling in Excel with more than two windows. Depending on your needs (and the nature of your data) you may be able to get around this by creatively splitting windows, such that you end up with two actual windows, but one of them is split to show two different parts of the same worksheet.
If that doesn't fit your needs, the only thing you can do is to simulate the synchronicity between windows. This must be done with a macro, similar to the following:
Sub SynchSheets()
' Duplicates the active sheet's cell position in each sheet
If TypeName(ActiveSheet) <> "Worksheet" Then Exit Sub
Dim shUser As Worksheet
Dim sht As Worksheet
Dim lTopRow As Long
Dim lLeftCol As Long
Dim sAddr As String
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
' Note the current sheet
Set shUser = ActiveSheet
' take information from current sheet
With ActiveWindow
lTopRow = .ScrollRow
lLeftCol = .ScrollColumn
sAddr = .RangeSelection.Address
End With
' loop through worksheets
For Each sht In ActiveWorkbook.Worksheets
If sht.Visible Then 'skip hidden sheets
sht.Activate
Range(sAddr).Select
ActiveWindow.ScrollRow = lTopRow
ActiveWindow.ScrollColumn = lLeftCol
End If
Next sht
shUser.Activate
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub
This macro essentially steps through each worksheet in the workbook and makes the same cell active and visible in each worksheet. If you start with your worksheets displayed on the screen, then the macro will "synchronize" what you see in each worksheet so that it is the same.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (9777) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365.
Dive Deep into Macros! Make Excel do things you thought were impossible, discover techniques you won't find anywhere else, and create powerful automated reports. Bill Jelen and Tracy Syrstad help you instantly visualize information to make it actionable. You’ll find step-by-step instructions, real-world case studies, and 50 workbooks packed with examples and solutions. Check out Microsoft Excel 2019 VBA and Macros today!
Need to clear out a large amount of information saved on the Clipboard? All you need to do is to replace it with a small ...
Discover MoreTwo very common programs that are used together are Excel and Word. If you want to copy multiple worksheets from an Excel ...
Discover MoreWant to easily see the location of named ranges in your worksheet? It's easy; all you need to do is use the familiar Zoom ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments