How to Use the Split View in Adobe Acrobat (PC & Mac)

We recently split a PDF into multiple files in Adobe Acrobat. But, what if you want to split a PDF into multiple views within the same tab—without creating multiple files? The solution is to use the Split view or the Spreadsheet Split view.

Quick Links:

How to Use the Split View

How to Use the Spreadsheet Split View

What Is the Difference between the Split View and the Spreadsheet Split View?

The Split view separates your PDF into two panes that can each be navigated to different pages. You can then scroll and zoom in one pane without affecting the other pane.

The Spreadsheet Split view separates your PDF into four panes that are navigated collectively. So, the horizontal and vertical panes scroll together. In addition, all four panes zoom simultaneously.

Despite its name, the Spreadsheet Split view can be used on any type of PDF. However, it is most appropriate for spreadsheets because you can only view one page in all four panes.

This tutorial is also available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.

Watch more than 100 other writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel.

The images below are from Adobe Acrobat DC. These steps also apply to Adobe Acrobat 2020 and Adobe Acrobat 2017. Plus, the process is the same for PC and Mac users. However, these steps don’t apply to Adobe’s free PDF display software Acrobat Reader.

How to Use the Split View in Adobe Acrobat

Open the PDF that you want to view.
Select the Window menu.

Window menu in Adobe Acrobat — Figure 1. Window menu

Select Split from the drop-down menu.

Split option in the Window menu in Adobe Acrobat — Figure 2. Split option

Your PDF should now appear in two horizontal panes.

Select the pane you want to work with and then use the navigation options to reach the desired view.

A. Previous Page and Next Page buttons

B. Page number text box

C. Zoom buttons

D. Scale menu

E. Scroll bars

Split view with navigation in Adobe Acrobat — Figure 3. Split view with navigation

Select the other pane and use the navigation options shown in figure 5 to reach the desired view.
(Optional) Hover your cursor over the handle between the two panes until the resizing cursor appears (two bars with arrows). Then, drag the handle up or down to resize the panes.

Split view resizing handle in Adobe Acrobat — Figure 4. Resizing handle

When you are finished using Split view, select the Window menu (see figure 1) and then select Remove Split from the drop-down menu.

Remove Split option in the Window menu in Adobe Acrobat — Figure 5. Remove Split option

How to Use the Spreadsheet Split View in Adobe Acrobat

Open the PDF that you want to view.
Select the Window menu (see figure 1).
Select Spreadsheet Split from the drop-down menu.

Spreadsheet Split option in the Window menu in Adobe Acrobat — Figure 6. Spreadsheet Split option

Use the previous and next page buttons or enter a number into the page number text box to view a specific page (see figure 3). Remember that all the panes in Spreadsheet Split view show the same page.
Use the vertical scroll bars to scroll panes 1 and 2 or 3 and 4.

Spreadsheet Split view vertical scroll bars in Adobe Acrobat — Figure 7. Vertical scroll bars

Use the horizontal scroll bars to scroll panes 1 and 3 or 2 and 4.

Spreadsheet Split view horizontal scroll bars in Adobe Acrobat — Figure 8. Horizontal scroll bars

(Optional) Hover your cursor over the handles between the panes until the resizing cursor appears (two crossed arrows). Then, drag the handles up, down, left, or right to resize the panes.

Spreadsheet Split view resizing handles in Adobe Acrobat — Figure 9. Resizing handles

When you are finished using Spreadsheet Split view, select the Window menu (see figure 1) and then select Remove Split from the drop-down menu (see figure 5).