Quick Way to Arrange Multiple Windows on Your Screen

(Reproduced from an article in the Journal of Accountancy September, 2008)

If you often work with more than one application open at a time, and wish you could see multiple windows on your screen at the same time, this may be the solution for your problem.

There is a way that works in both Windows XP and Vista. The method works with Excel, Word, screens of other applications and even websites. Begin by initially loading the files you want displayed and then minimizing them so the icons are in the taskbar. Then, when you want to open some of them, hold down the Ctrl key and click on their icons in the taskbar. You'll notice the icon borders will darken, as in a 3-D effect. Then right-click on one of the icons and a Windows-arrangement menu will appear, giving you a display choice. You will be able to show the windows stacked, side-by-side, or in a cascade arrangement.

If you change your mind after you select the file you wanted to open, a second click will deselect it.