Have you ever wanted to compare two PowerPoint 2003 or 2007 files side-by-side? You’ve probably done it in Microsoft Word many times. You just open the two Word documents and drag one of them to the side.
But when you try that in PowerPoint, it doesn’t work. The entire application window moves. So how to you see both presentations at the same time?
Instead, go to View tab> Window group> Arrange All. (You can also choose Cascade and then move and resize the windows as you want.) In PowerPoint 2003, choose Window> Arrange All.
PowerPoint-view two presentations side by side
Here’s the result:
Result: view 2 presentations side by side
In PowerPoint 2010, you can drag the two (or more) presentation windows, like you can in Word.
Awesome tip!!
Wow, why do people give advise when they don’t know what they’re talking about? don’t you understand that you are misleading people? I have come across so many posts where people give advice and are not even sure if its the right advise. This individual is simply looking for a way to view two documents side by side. Stop telling him to click view, arrange all. that does not open two documents side by side. it opens two documents within power point. In addition, don’t mislead people and tell them it cant be done, when in reality, it very well… Read more »
Dear creativeny1,
The instructions I give do work. It’s true that in 2003 & 2007, you don’t get separate windows (you do in 2010), but you can still see your presentations side by side. Try the instructions, and you’ll see that they work. I’ve tested them.
It would be good to keep your comments less harsh; we’re all trying to provide good and useful information.
Ellen
Ellen, Thanks! I’ve been trying to figure this out for a while in the new versions of powerpoint and excel. Very clear instructions.
Ellen, Protech is correct. The two separate files show up side by side but you cannot go through the slides locked together in 2003. In order to view slides side by side you have to go back and forth between the two windows and move seperately. I have a peeve about the question not being understood.
Yes, but you can still see them both. This is a limitation of 2003 and the tip explained a way to see both presentations at the same time. Yes, you have to move separately in each window. Thank goodness, the latest version makes it easier.
Hi: In order to present in both official languages, I need to be able to PRESENT two powerpoints side by side (not just view and work on them). Does anyone know a way to do this in Word 2003? Is the only way to have two computers and two projectors?
Selina, this may be too late but here you go… Yes, you can view 2 powerpoint presentations. But, you must have 2 monitors. Step 1_Open MS PP 2007 Step 2_Open both presentations in MS PP Step 3_Select the View tab Step 4_Select “Arrange All”(both presentations should be opened side by side in the window) Step 5_Open the Slide Show menu Step 6_Click the presentation you want to show on the 2nd monitor Step 7_In the dropdown box next to “Show Presentation On:” select the secondary monitor. Step 8_Select the slide show button at the bottom of the page Note: The… Read more »
can it be possible to use down arrow key to control the two slides at the same time?
Vin,
No either one or the other is active, not both. You might be interested in Malcom’s suggestion.
Thank you!!!!!
ThankS alot !!! The help just came in a much need time !! 🙂
fantastic it works
Worked well for me! Thanks!
Thanks! it worked!
Thanks so much for sharing a very useful tip1
The answer is very simple and easy.
Open your PowerPoint file.
Open your other Powerpoint file.
Now you only see the last one. Correct?
OK, go to view and click on Cascade.
Now you see both. Correct?
Adjust the files so you see them parallel next to each other>
Advice: stretch your page to the full screen so you can enlarge your text for better view.
Younis, The blog post applies only to 2003 and 2007 and I mention Cascade as one of the solutions. Choosing Arrange All also works.
Cheers Ellen. problem solved for all on this aspect.
So, from what all are saying, it is impossible to view two documents side by side without having two monitors? I have presentations in english and spanish I like to side by side but it takes me hours to cut and paste each paragraph in each language, arrange font, etc., etc. YOu would think they would have come up with a way to do this by now. It would be easier to just be able to view the documents side by side. I tried the instructions the first person left and got lost after “drag the document to the side”!… Read more »
What if you want to see two slides of the SAME FILE next to each other, just like you can do this in MS-Word?
Thank you all. I found the solution. so simple.
Open a Power Presentation document.
Go to view
click on Cascade
adjust your document to fit on one side of the window as it now spreading all over the current window, leaving space for your next document.
Open your next document, you will see it overlapping the adjusted first document.
adjust this last document to fit on the other side of the window.
Now you have two documents side by side.
You open more and more if you can view them all at once.
If not clear please let me know.
None of you have a solution…
Nothing works… ‘adjust this last document’ whatever do you mean?
Thanks a lot! I have been needing this information for a long time.
very useful
thank you
Comparing two PowerPoint 97 .ppt files in WindowsXP.
Open two (or more) .ppt files. Hit ctl-F5. Resize & reposition desired. Alt-V + D to see Slide Sorter. I do it all the time.
Lesky
My mistake, I’m using WinXP with PowerPoint 2003. But I think I used to do it with PP 97.
When I hit “arrange all,” the ppts show up off-set about 1/2 inch to the right side of the screen. I have to manually move each one over that 1/2 inch before I can see all of both ppts. This has been the case for me for the last several versions of ppt. (Currently working in Office 365/2016.) I can’t find this problem mentioned any where on the internet. Any clue what I’m doing wrong?
I don’t have that experience. Are both files maximized before you arrange them? It could be an issue with the resolution or monitor display setting, too.
Yes, maximized. Doesn’t matter which computer I work on or which monitor I use. Has been happening for years.
Don’t suppose anyone can help me. I like and want to keep 2003 powerpoint. I use to have this feature but recently a computer guy had to reinstall this software and now I can only have one document open at a time. I like to toggle back and forth. Any direction would be appreciated.
It does open them side by side – but you can’t move back and forth between the two.