What is the difference when using the Data Tab between comparing two spreadsheets tab and the arrange tab. What would the best scenario when using both?

Dear Paul

Thank you for attending Excel Intermediate course.

This is a very interesting question and the main difference between the Arrange… option and Compare side by side with… options is the number of files currently opened.

If you have five workbooks opened and you choose Window > Arrange… and chose one of the options then it is likely that all the five workbooks will be arranged in the layout that you have chosen.

But sometimes you do want more than two files opened but want to only compare two at one time. The Compare side by side with…option will be more relevant in this case. This option doesn’t allow you to compare more than two workbooks. You’ll also notice that when this option is chosen the synchronous scrolling is automatically activated which helps you to simultaneously scroll vertically or horizontally both the workbooks. It can be de-activated by pressing the synchronous scrolling button on the Compare side by side with toolbar.

I hope this helps to clarify your query.

If this has answered your question to your satisfaction then please mark this question as resolved!!

Many thanks

Kindest Regards

Rajeev Rawat
MOS Master Instructor 2000 and 2003