Switch Between Excel Files

[Jim]

Hello...

I sometimes have 2-4 Excel files loaded at the same time and want to
switch between them WITHOUT having to use the keypad to go the the
Windows menu to select the file I want to switch to. I notice that each
Excel file that I have loaded has a number before the file name so I
would think that I would be able to switch between the files via some
keyboard command is possible; however I have searched the manual and
help files without finding any such command. I've also tried various
modifier keys ie: cmd-2, opt-1, cmd-opt-4, etc (where the digit is the
number before the file name in the Windows menu) without success.

Does anyone know what key(s) allow the user to switch between the
different (loaded) Excel files WITHOUT using the mouse/track pad?

TIA... Jim

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Jim -

From XL Help on Keyboard Shortcuts:

Cmd+F6 Switch to the next workbook window
Cmd+SHIFT+F6 Switch to the previous workbook window

But I don't know where you're seeing the number you referred to

I notice that each Excel file that I have loaded has a number before the file

name
If you mean the list of recently used files at the bottom of the File Menu,
that is just the order in which the listed files were last used/opened. You
*can* use the keyboard to select one by number *after* you open the File
Menu, then type the number, then press Return - but that's the long way
around.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Jim]

Thanks Bob for your response. I understand the theoretical
Cmd-F6/Cmd-Shift-F6 switching; however it does not work for me on my
TiBook with Mac OS 10.3.9 ie: pushing Cmd-F6 simply turns on/off "number
lock".

The numbers before the loaded Excel file that I am referring to are
found at the bottom of the Windows menu... between Special and Help.

I can only presume that the numbers before the open files is for
non-functional reference and you described for the File menu instead of
being able to use for quick switching between files.

Jim

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

Control-Tab, and shift-Control-Tab will also cycle between open windows. I
know of no shortcut key to allow a direct switch to a specific window. You
can also right click (or control-click) on the navigation tabs on the bottom
left to navigate to an open workbook.

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Thanks Bob for your response. I understand the theoretical
Cmd-F6/Cmd-Shift-F6 switching; however it does not work for me on my
TiBook with Mac OS 10.3.9 ie: pushing Cmd-F6 simply turns on/off "number
lock".

Sounds like you have your function keys set to control hardware
features, so you'd need fn-CMD-F6 and fn-CMD-SHIFT-F6.

I'm using MacOS 10.4.x, but IIRC in 10.3.9 you can also set the function
keys to control software features using System Preferences/Keyboard &
Mouse/Keyboard/Use the F1-F12 keys to control software features checkbox.

 

[Joe]

Jim,

Have you tried "Arrange" under "Window"? For example, if you have four
workbooks open you can arrange them so that each work book is displayed
in one quarter of the screen, vertically, horizontally, or tiled. Then
clicking on a workbook will make it active. If you need the active
workbook to be full screen while working in it click the maximize
button in the upper left corner of the active workbook. After working
at full screen on one workbook you can then click the maximize button
again to go back to viewing all four workbooks simultaneously so you
can activate another.

-Joe

 

[Joe]

Jim,

I forgot about the "Cascade" option under arrange. Cascade allows all
open workbookd to be displayed such that any single workbook may be
selected by clicking it but keeps the workbooks nearly full screen.

-Joe

 

[Guy Kudlemyer]

A handy little downloadable application called Keyboard Maestro (Google or
Dogpile) will allow you to set Option-Tab (or whatever you desire) as the
default for cycling through all documents you have open within an
application. I use it extensively for just the exact purpose you've
described.

--Guy
Thurston, OR

 

[Jim]

Thanks to all who responded to my question regarding keyboard command(s)
to switch between open Excel workbooks. Looks like both sets...
control-tab/control-shift-tab and fn-cmd-f6 and fn-cmd-shift-f6 work for
me. Window placement would also work; however it's not practical for my
usage.

Thanks again for all your help... Jim