opening more than one instance of excel

[dpinger]

I'm trying to figure out how to open two separate windows of excel at the same time. If I have a file open and try to open another, the new file replaces the old and the old just gets minimized. I can't open two instances at the same time. I have a dual screen set up and want to be able to drag and drop data between two files. I'm assuming it's some registry fix as I only use Excel for my payroll and I know this can be done without problem in Word and IE. I may have posted before but the only responses I got pointed my to opening multiple files in one window which I can do and is nice but it's not the same as using two monitors.
Thanks

 

[koresnordic]

Which version of Excel are you using? I use 2002, and starting the programme twice, gives me two buttons on the start bar. I can open seperate files in each.

This works for me, but knowing Microsoft and computers, it may not for you

 

[dpinger]

Yes actually, it does. Someone suggested typing the path to the file and I get a message saying windows can't find "c:\program", but if I type in just the path to Excel itself it will open a new instance of the program. And then a I can open a new file. This must be a glitch of some sort, but at least now I have a work around. The real problem/inconvenience, other than not being able to easily have two windows up, is that when you're used to having multiple files open in separate windows like other programs you forget that closing one closes them all. Thanks for your post and if you have anything to add, I'd like to hear it.

 

[combo]

At least for excel 2000 one can set this option.
Select (main menu) tools>options and page view on the displayed dialog. You can check/uncheck option to have separate windows on the task bar.

 

[combo]

Note to the above: This way you do not create new instance of excel, only icon on the task bar for switching. Ko have two instances use Koresnordic's hint.