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How to Split a Word Document Into Two Panes

Tap a step to see it in order.

  1. Open the document

    Open the document you want to view in two panes.

  2. Open the "View" tab

    Click the View tab on the ribbon.

  3. Click "Split"

    In the Window group, click Split -- the screen divides into a top and bottom pane.

  4. Scroll each pane independently

    Scroll the top and bottom panes to different locations to view two different parts of the document at once.

See the table of contents while editing further down

If you need to check a table of contents at the start of a long report while editing a section much further down, splitting the window lets you view both parts at once without constantly scrolling back and forth.

Split vs. opening a New Window

Split divides a single window into two panes of the same document. Word also offers "New Window" on the View tab, which opens a second, separate window showing the same document -- useful if you want to drag the two views onto different monitors instead of stacking them in one window. Either way, edits in one view appear in the other instantly, since it's the same underlying file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the two split panes the same document?

Yes -- splitting just shows one document in two windows. Editing in either pane updates the same document in real time.

How do I remove the split?

Click "Remove Split" on the same View tab, or double-click the divider line, and the window returns to a single pane.