how to open multiple workbooks in one excel

alk44 

This is an old post but someone may find it helpful.

Easy.  Open the first excel workbook (or a blank one).

Select all the workbooks you want in the same instance and drag them over to the open workbook sheet.

Don't worry, it won't insert any workbooks into the initial workbook.

It will open each workbook individually with the same instance as the initial workbook.  

You can then create another instance and load a group of workbooks in that instance too.  

Get into the habit of just opening workbooks by dragging over to the instance you want to avoid issues.