How to View Two Pages Side by Side in Google Docs

Uggh! I’m having a hard time viewing two pages in Google Docs through the Alt + tab method. 

Is there an easier way for me to view both of the documents simultaneously?

Certainly, there is a way for you to view 2 pages side by side in Google Docs — if you know how.

 

How to View Two Pages Side by Side in Google Docs

Google Docs currently doesn’t feature the split-page view pages in a document. But, you can view 2 pages side by side by opening multiple windows manually and through keyboard shortcuts. Installing Chrome extensions like Tab Scissors and Tab Resize can also allow you to view 2 pages side by side. 

 

Viewing Two Pages Side by Side in Google Docs — 3 Nifty Workaround Methods

As mentioned earlier, Google Docs doesn’t feature a two-page (or even a grid) view of the pages in a particular document.

But, while we’re waiting for Google Docs to work on this feature, you can select from the 3 workaround methods below.

 

Workaround #1: Opening Multiple Windows

Granting that you’ve already opened the Google Docs file, here are the next steps you should follow.

Step 1: Head to the address bar of the Google Docs file you’re viewing and highlight the link or the URL.

After highlighting the URL, press Ctrl/Cmd + C on your keyboard to copy the said link.

You can also opt to right-click on the highlighted link and choose the Copy option in the dropdown menu that appears.

Step 2: After copying the Google Docs file URL, it’s time to open a new window. Now, you can achieve this step in 3 ways.

First, you can click the 3-dot icon on the upper right corner of the current window and choose the New window option in the dropdown menu.

The second way to open a new window is to use the keyboard shortcut for this function: Ctrl/Cmd + N.

Third, but not the least on the list (and the method which I usually use), is opening a new tab by selecting the “+” button. 

You can also press Ctrl/Cmd + T to open a new tab. Whichever technique you use, what’s important is you open up a new tab.

Now, after you open a new tab, resize the entire window first by clicking the Restore Down button.

After which, click and drag the new tab you created earlier.

Step 3: After opening a new window, paste the URL you copied earlier on the address bar.

You can do this either by right-clicking and choosing the Paste option or directly pressing Ctrl/Cmd + V on your keyboard.

Step 4: Adjust the size of both windows by dragging on their corners. 

Just make sure the cursor changes into a diagonal double-arrow figure first before executing this step.

Continue to resize the two windows until you can comfortably view both Google Docs pages side by side.

But, if you find this first workaround cumbersome, perhaps the second method will be more to your liking.

 

Workaround #2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Opening Multiple Windows

Technically, this second workaround method is like the first one presented above. 

But, in case you want a mouse-less method of opening multiple windows, you can use the keyboard shortcut for the same command.

Step 1: Start by copying the Google Docs file link or URL from the address bar. Simply highlight the link and copy with by pressing Ctrl/Cmd + C.

Step 2: After copying the file URL, open a new window (refer to Step 2 of the first workaround method) and paste the link in it. Press Ctrl/Cmd + V on your keyboard for this step.

Step 3: Click on one of the windows you’ve opened and press the Windows and the left arrow key on your keyboard simultaneously.

The current window you selected will automatically take the screen’s left side.

Step 4: Now, open the second window you created and again press the Windows key on your keyboard.

This time, though, you press the right arrow key together with the Windows key to make the second window take the right side of the screen.

And, just like that, you’ve already viewed two pages side by side in Google Docs without manual resizing.

What’s cooler with using the keyboard shortcut is that those windows automatically fit the screen size of your computer.

But, if these first 2 workaround methods aren’t your thing, then you might want to try installing Google Chrome extensions instead.

 

Workaround #3: Installing Chrome Extensions

Now, unlike the first 2 methods mentioned earlier, you’ll need to install a third-party app to allow you to view Google Docs pages side by side.

Currently, 2 known Chrome extensions allow you to view pages side by side: Tab Resize and Tab Scissors.

Whichever of the two you opt to use, you’ll have to head to the Chrome Web Store first.

Step 1: To open the Chrome Webstore, you can directly type this link on the address bar: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions.

Another alternative option to open the Chrome Store is to click the three-dot icon on the upper right of the Chrome window.

Then, in the dropdown menu, select the Settings option. Once the Settings window’s opened, click the Extensions section.

Step 2: Once you’re inside the Chrome Store, type the name of the extension you’re searching for.

For Tab Resize, encode “Tab Resize – split screen layouts” in the search bar, and for Tab Scissors, type in the search bar “Tab Scissors”

Whatever extension you use, click on the Add to Chrome button.

Step 3: A pop-out window will then appear after selecting the Add to Chrome button. In the said window, click “Add extension.”

You’ll then see a notification asking you to pin the said extension to Chrome. Select the Pin icon so you’ll be able to see the extension once you open a tab.

And, from there, just click on the extension you installed and follow the next steps in opening multiple pages. 

Just make sure that you’ve already opened the Google Docs file on 2 separate tabs before clicking the extension.

So, from the 3 workaround methods listed above, which one do you prefer using? 

There’s no need to rush in answering this — have a feel for all 3 methods and select one that will achieve the feat seamlessly. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions about How to View Two Pages Side by Side in Google Docs

 

Am I only limited to opening viewing two pages side by side whichever workaround method I use?

If you’re manually resizing windows, using the keyboard shortcut, or using the Tab Resize Chrome extension, you can open more than 2 pages simultaneously. However, if you installed the Tab Scissors extension, you’re only limited to opening 2 pages at the same time.

 

If I open the Google Docs file on two separate tabs, do they need to be in the same window so I can view them side by side?

Initially, you’ll need to open a new tab in the same window for you to copy and paste the URL easily. However, to view two pages side by side, you need to separate one of the tabs, which means you’ll eventually create a new window to achieve this feat.