How to View Two Documents Side by Side with Synchronous Scrolling in Microsoft Word

When reviewing contracts, proofreading translated manuscripts, comparing draft revisions, or cross-referencing research papers against source notes, toggling back and forth between separate Microsoft Word windows is inefficient and prone to oversight. While Word includes an automated document comparison tool that generates redlines, many editorial workflows require human side-by-side visual inspection. Microsoft Word features a built-in View Side by Side mode paired with Synchronous Scrolling, allowing you to lock two documents together and navigate both simultaneously.

Understanding View Side by Side and Synchronous Scrolling

Word’s multi-document inspection tools consist of three coordinated features located on the View ribbon:

• View Side by Side: Automatically resizes and tiles two open document windows horizontally, positioning them cleanly across your screen without requiring manual window dragging.
• Synchronous Scrolling: Locks the vertical scrollbars of both documents together. Scrolling through one document via the mouse wheel, scrollbar, or keyboard arrows automatically scrolls the adjacent document at the exact same pace.
• Reset Window Position: Instantly balances the two documents so they each occupy exactly 50% of your screen width, even if you resized or moved a window during review.

Step 1: Opening the Documents You Wish to Compare

Before activating side-by-side viewing, ensure both files are open within Microsoft Word:

1. Launch Microsoft Word on your computer.
2. Open your first document (e.g., Draft_Proposal_v1.docx).
3. Open your second document (e.g., Draft_Proposal_v2.docx).
4. Bring either of the two documents to the foreground on your screen.

Step 2: Activating View Side by Side Mode

With your documents open, trigger the side-by-side arrangement:

1. Click the View tab on the Word ribbon at the top of the interface.
2. Locate the Window command group.
3. Click the View Side by Side button (represented by an icon showing two adjacent sheets of paper).

Note: If you have more than two documents currently open in Word, a dialogue box titled Compare Side by Side will appear. Select the specific second document you wish to compare against and click OK.

Word immediately splits your monitor display, arranging both documents side by side in equal halves.

Step 3: Enabling and Using Synchronous Scrolling

By default, activating View Side by Side automatically turns on Synchronous Scrolling. Here is how to verify and control this behaviour:

1. Check the View tab under the Window group. The Synchronous Scrolling button (located directly beneath View Side by Side) should be highlighted in grey or blue.
2. Place your mouse cursor over either document and rotate your mouse wheel downward. Notice how both documents scroll in perfect synchronisation.
3. Use Page Down, Page Up, or navigation arrows; both documents track each other line for line.

Temporarily Unlinking Scrollbars (Independent Scrolling)

If one document contains an extra introductory page or longer preamble that throws off alignment:

1. Click the Synchronous Scrolling button in the Window group to toggle it Off.
2. Scroll the misaligned document independently until its headings line up with the adjacent document.
3. Click the Synchronous Scrolling button again to turn it back On. Both documents will now scroll together from their newly aligned starting points.

Step 4: Resetting Window Proportions

If you accidentally resized one of the windows while referencing desktop notes or another application, restore perfect parity instantly:

1. On the View tab, navigate to the Window group.
2. Click Reset Window Position.
3. Word immediately resets both document windows to share the screen evenly in a 50/50 proportion.

Step 5: Exiting View Side by Side Mode

Once you finish your side-by-side comparison:

1. Click the View Side by Side button on the View tab to toggle it off.
2. Alternatively, simply maximise either document window using the standard window controls (top-right on Windows, top-left on macOS).
3. Both documents will return to standard independent windows, preserving your active cursor position and unsaved edits.

Troubleshooting Common Side by Side Issues

• Button Is Greyed Out: The View Side by Side button will be disabled if only one document is currently open in Word. Ensure at least two separate documents or windows are loaded.
• Unequal Zoom Levels: If one document appears with smaller text, click inside that document, navigate to View > Zoom, and set both documents to identical percentages (e.g., 100% or Page Width).
• Multi-Monitor Workspaces: If you use dual monitors, Word places both windows on your primary monitor by default. You can drag one window to your secondary display, adjust each to fill its respective monitor, and Synchronous Scrolling will continue operating across both displays seamlessly.

Streamlining Editorial Review Workflows

Using View Side by Side with Synchronous Scrolling eliminates the frustration of constant window switching. Whether auditing clauses across legal agreements or checking formatted revisions against client briefs, this native Microsoft Word tool accelerates document review while guaranteeing meticulous accuracy.