How do I open a new excel file independant of one already open?

I know this is going to sound like a naive newbie question and yes a did do
a google search but didn't come up with anything useful. Perhaps I was
using the wrong search terms.
On my PC at work I have several excel files. Let's say for example I have
an excel file that I have opened and am working on. There may be times when
I may need to refer to another excel file. However, when I open up the new
excel file the one currently opened will close before the new file will
open. As my header suggests, is there are way to open up a new file without
having the older one close? Sorry, I'm posting this from home so I have no
idea what version of Excel I have at work.

Thanks in advance.

When you open the second file, the first one does not close. What happens is
that you only see the last one opened. Look in the tray and you should see
an icon for each file (unless you have lots of apps running)
You can also use the command Windows | Arrange and have two or more files on
view side-by-side or up-and-over
best wishes
--
Bernard V Liengme
Microsoft Excel MVP
http://people.stfx.ca/bliengme
remove caps from email

"ftran999" wrote in message
...
I know this is going to sound like a naive newbie question and yes a did do
a google search but didn't come up with anything useful. Perhaps I was
using the wrong search terms.
On my PC at work I have several excel files. Let's say for example I have
an excel file that I have opened and am working on. There may be times
when I may need to refer to another excel file. However, when I open up
the new excel file the one currently opened will close before the new file
will open. As my header suggests, is there are way to open up a new file
without having the older one close? Sorry, I'm posting this from home so
I have no idea what version of Excel I have at work.

Thanks in advance.

"Bernard Liengme" wrote in message
...
When you open the second file, the first one does not close. What happens
is that you only see the last one opened. Look in the tray and you should
see an icon for each file (unless you have lots of apps running)
Thanks for your help. I checked it again at work today. The icons weren't
showing up in the taskbar because I the option for that was unchecked. It
did enable that option and now all the open files show on the taskbar.
You can also use the command Windows | Arrange and have two or more files
on view side-by-side or up-and-over
best wishes
--
Bernard V Liengme
Microsoft Excel MVP
http://people.stfx.ca/bliengme
remove caps from email

"ftran999" wrote in message
...
I know this is going to sound like a naive newbie question and yes a did
do a google search but didn't come up with anything useful. Perhaps I was
using the wrong search terms.
On my PC at work I have several excel files. Let's say for example I
have an excel file that I have opened and am working on. There may be
times when I may need to refer to another excel file. However, when I
open up the new excel file the one currently opened will close before the
new file will open. As my header suggests, is there are way to open up a
new file without having the older one close? Sorry, I'm posting this
from home so I have no idea what version of Excel I have at work.

Thanks in advance.