How to View Two Windows in Split View on your Mac

If you find yourself switching back and forth between two open windows, you might want to give Split View a try. The Split View feature allows you to snap two windows side-by-side without you having to rearrange windows. The two windows that you designate fill up your entire screen, thus eliminating distraction from other windows. This comes in especially handy for comparing two document or to watch a video in one screen and take notes in another.

Two Documents in Split Screen View image

To enter split view, click and hold on the Full Screen button on the top-left of a window. As you hold down the button, one side of the screen will be shaded in blue. Drag to the left or right side of your screen, depending on where you want the active window to reside. Release the full screen button and the window will automatically format to fit half of the screen. Any compatible apps and widows will then display as thumbnails on the opposite side of the screen. Click the thumbnail for the window that you want. Both windows will now display side-by-side on your screen.

Note that you don’t have to stick with an even 50/50 split. You can adjust the amount of space that a window takes up by clicking the divider bar between the two windows and dragging in the desired direction.

To View Two Windows in Split View

Click and hold down the full screen button on the top-left corner of the window.
Drag the window to the left or right side of your screen.
Release the mouse button.
Click the thumbnail for the other window you that you want to display in split view.
To display the menu and toolbar, move your mouse pointer to the top of the screen.
To adjust the width of a window, click the vertical bar between the windows and then drag in the desired direction.
To exit Split View, move your mouse pointer to the top of each screen and then click the Full Screen button.