Unlike Microsoft Word, Google Docs doesnโt have a built-in feature that lets you view multiple pages at once. But not to worry, viewing multiple pages in Google Docs isnโt entirely impossible. For example, you can use the print preview.
In this article, we will explore how to view multiple pages in Google Docs with a few different methods, allowing you to effortlessly navigate through your document, compare sections, and make edits more efficiently. Read on to learn more.
Table of Contents
How to View Pages Side by Side in Google Docs
Hereโs how to view pages side by side in Google Docs:
- Go to File >ย Print or use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + P.
- In the print settings, go to pages per sheet and click on the drop-down.
- Choose the number of sheets you want to view.
- View the preview of the layout.
How to View Multiple Pages in Google Docs
There are several methods you can use for Google Docs split view. In this guide, weโll be showing you 4 of the easiest methods for Google Docs to view multiple pages, which include:
- Putting Windows side by side
- Using the print layout view
- Zooming out
- Using a split-screen extension
Method 1: Putting the Browser Windows Side by Side
One very effective way to view multiple pages simultaneously is by splitting your document into separate panes. This feature allows you to divide your screen, displaying different sections of your document side by side.
Hereโs how to view Google Doc pages side by side by opening multiple windows:
Step 1: Open a new window in your browser. You can use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + N.
Step 2: Copy and paste the link to your document into the new window
Step 3: Resize the windows so that theyโre side by side.
Now you can view different pages in your document side by side. The number of windows you should open depends on the number of pages you want to view.
You can also use keyboard shortcuts to view the separate pages once youโve opened the windows. Use the keyboard shortcut Win +ย > (right arrow key) to open the window to the right in half and Win +ย < (left arrow key) to open the window to the left in half. Now you can view the windows side by side.
Related:ย How To Delete A Page in Google Docs
Method 2: Use Print Layout View
The Print Layout view in Google Docs provides a more comprehensive and realistic representation of your document. This view shows how your document will appear when printed, including page breaks and margins.
By going to the Print Layout view, you can get a better sense of your document’s structure and organization.
Once youโve added pages, hereโs how to put pages side by side in Google Docs:
Step 1: Go to File >ย Print or use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + P.
Step 2: In the print settings, go to pages per sheet and click on the drop-down.
Step 3: Choose the number of sheets you want to view.
Step 4: View your document in the preview section. Once youโre done, you can click Cancel.
Youโll be able to view the number of pages you want with this method side by side or in a grid format, depending on the number of columns you put.
Method 3: Zoom Out
You can also zoom out in Google Docs to see multiple pages. Google Docs has a zoom-out option in the toolbar that lets you select the percentage you want to view. This method can only allow you to view 2 pages, though, and instead of side by side, theyโll be vertical.
Hereโs how to view two pages at once in Google Docs by zooming out:
Step 1: Go to the toolbar.
Step 2: Click on the drop-down for Zoom.
Step 3: Choose a scale of 50%
Step 4: To make more room for the pages, you can go to View > Full Screen.
This method is not the most convenient method since the document is pretty hard to see, and you canโt view the two pages side by side. However, itโs enough to get a good idea of the structure and layout of your document.
Method 4: Using a Split Screen Extension
Thanks to extensions, you can get a lot of features that donโt naturally exist in your browser. Using a split screen extension is another way to view multiple pages in Google Docs.
Google has its own split-screen extension that you can use on your Chrome browser called Split Screen for Chrome. Other good split-screen extensions include Dualless and Tile Tabs WE.
In this tutorial, weโll be using the Dualles extension to show you how to view pages side by side in Google Docs.
Hereโs how to make pages side by side in Google Docs:
Step 1: First, youโll need to download the extension. Go to Dualless.
Step 2: Click Add extensionย in the prompt that appears and pin the extension on the toolbar.
Step 3: Click on the extension icon and choose the screen sizes.
Step 4: Copy and paste the link to the document in the new window.
Step 5: You can choose whether you want the split screens to be aligned vertically or horizontally.
You should be able to view your pages side by side now in the different windows. Luckily with the Dualless extension, you donโt need to sign up and can start using it immediately after you download it. If youโd like to view more than 2 pages, then you can split the already split windows further until you have the number of pages you need.
How to View 4 Pages in Google Docs
If youโd like to view 4 pages in Google Docs, the best method would be to use the print layout preview. You can follow the following process to view 4 pages in Google Docs:
Step 1: Go to File >ย Print or use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + P.
Step 2: In the print settings, go to pages per sheet and click on the drop-down
Step 3: Choose 4 in the number of sheets you want to view.
Youโll be able to view 4 pages in the print layout.
You can also open your document in 4 different windows and resize them to fit the screen. This method might be better since it allows you to edit while you view multiple pages. However, Google Docs may hang a little bit if you try to edit the document with that many pages opened in different windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Google Docs Show Two Pages Side by Side?
Google Docs does not have a built-in feature to display two pages side by side like a traditional book layout. Google Docs is primarily designed for single-page document editing and collaboration. However, you can use a workaround to achieve a side-by-side view, like using the print layout or downloading a split-screen extension for your browser.
How Do I Preview All Pages in Google Docs?
If you have fewer than 16 pages in your document, you can preview all the pages in the Print layout.
Hereโs how to preview all the pages in Google Docs using the print layout:
Step 1: Go to File >ย Print or use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + P.
Step 2: In the print settings, go to pages per sheet and click on the drop-down.
Step 3: Choose 16 pages or a number slightly higher than the number of pages you have.
Step 4: View your document in the preview section. Once youโre done, you can click Cancel.
However, keep in mind that if you have too many pages you may not be able to see much in the print preview since theyโll be too small.
Final Thoughts
Although Google Docs is one of the best word processors in 2024, it does fall short when it comes to multitasking features like viewing multiple pages.
In this article, weโve solved the problem of how to view multiple pages in Google Docs. Weโve shown you four methods, including opening multiple windows side by side, using the print layout, zooming out, and using a split screen extension. If you found this tutorial helpful, you can also check out our premium templates which will save you a ton of time and effort. Remember to use the code SSP at checkout to save 50%.
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