Running Two Instance of Excel 2003 Simultaneously - Advice Please

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dermot
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Dermot

I am running Windows XP Pro

I have a two monitor installation arrangement configured to be independant
screens to which I can drag window to one or the other.

I can open two separate instances of Excel 2003 Via Start | Run | and
entering "excel" for each instance of excel I would want to compare.

I have googled to find out if this is the correct and only way to run two
instances of an application but the results are vague.

Question 1
Can anyone advise me how the method above works?

Question 2
What other methods can be used to achieve two instances of an application
running.
 
You tested it, right? So you know the method works. It works by opening a
new instance during each trip to the Start menu.

The other method, is to go to Tools menu > Options > General tab, and check
"Ignore Other Applications". Every time you double click an Excel workbook
in Windows Explorer, the workbook will open in a new instance. For this
reason I wouldn't recommend this technique, because you will have lost
control over when you get a new instance and over how many instances you
will have.

- Jon
 
1.. From Start>Run you are actually opening two seperate programs by running
the excecutable file Excel.exe twice.

2. Go to Tools>Options>General and checkmark "Ignore other applications"
When you double-click any *.xls you will get a new instance.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP
 
Thanks for the explantion Gord,

To Quote Jon in the previous posting........

Ignore Other Applications". Every time you double click an Excel workbook
in Windows Explorer, the workbook will open in a new instance. For this
reason I wouldn't recommend this technique, because you will have lost
control over when you get a new instance and over how many instances you
will have.

He wouldn't recomment this method......

What would your thoughts be on this?

Thanks in advance
 
Jon's caveat about having multiple instances running is a good one.

Every time you open a new file from outside one of the instances, a new instance
will start.

i.e. With Excel closed go to Windows Explorer and start double-clicking excel
files to see what happens.

You may also notice that a double-click will open an instance of Excel but no
workbook opens.


Gord
 
Hi Jon

Thanks for both of your replies, you have both clarified my understanding
and yes too many Excels spoil the broth.

I would only be using this feature now and again to compare individual VBE
editors.

Liely I wouldn't have any more than two xls's open at any one time.....so
think I will stick to using the Start | Run method.

Thanks

Dermot
 
Thanks Gord

I'll stick to Start | Run.

Dermot

Gord Dibben said:
Jon's caveat about having multiple instances running is a good one.

Every time you open a new file from outside one of the instances, a new instance
will start.

i.e. With Excel closed go to Windows Explorer and start double-clicking excel
files to see what happens.

You may also notice that a double-click will open an instance of Excel but no
workbook opens.


Gord
Click to expand...
 
Nothing wrong with that.

Extra keystrokes but if you don't clear your history the "excel.exe" entry
will stick for selectiing.


Gord
 
Hi Gord,

I am not sure I understand, please clarify...what history are you refering
to and .............what do you mean by...."Entry will stick for selecting?

Thanks
 
Dermot

In the Start>Run dialog the commands you type will remain in the dialog box like
autocomplete.

If you clear your History stuff from Internet Explorer you will lose those
entries.


Gord
 
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