4 ways to open a new Excel instance

Loading large queries, running macros, or using add-ins can cause Excel to freeze up and leave you staring at that dreaded spinning blue ring.

The good news is you don’t have to wait around. You can open a fresh instance of Excel that runs independently, like a separate application. This way, one or more workbooks can chug away in the background while you work in another.

Here are three ways to launch a new instance:

1️⃣ Taskbar method

Right-click the Excel icon, hold down Alt, and select Excel.

2️⃣ Start Menu method

Hold down Alt and select the Excel icon from the Start menu.

3️⃣ File Explorer method

Right-click the Excel file you want to open, hold down Alt, and choose Open.

4️⃣ Desktop shortcut method

1. Right-click the Excel icon and select Properties.
2. Copy the entire target path (Ctrl + C). E.g. “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE”.
3. Right-click on the desktop and select New > Shortcut.
4. Paste the target path (Ctrl + V), add “ /x” to the end, and select Next.
5. Name it “Open New Excel Instance” and select Finish.
6. Double-click the desktop icon to open a new instance.
7. Drag it into the taskbar for easy access.

In all cases, select Yes when prompted: “Do you want to start a new instance of Excel?”

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