How to Open Multiple Files in VS Code

Visual Studio (VS) Code is an extremely user-friendly code editing software that allows you to open multiple files at once. You can do this either in tabs or in separate windows for your convenience and easily navigate between them using File Explorer.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to open multiple files in VS Code, in tabs, or new editor windows. Additionally, we’ll explain how to fix VS Code if it’s unable to open several files, how to add new files, and how to open folders in the program. Read on to find it out how.

How to Open Multiple Files in VS Code

First, edit the VS Code settings to enable the support of multiple files at once. To do that, follow the instructions below:

1. Launch VS Code, then click “File” at the upper part of the program window.
   
2. Select “Preferences.”
   
3. Select “Settings.”
   
4. Click “Workspace Settings” and locate the “workbench.editor.showTabs” line. If the value is set at “False” change it to “True.”
   

Once the multiple file support option is enabled, you can use your mouse to select how to open a new file in the program:

1. Launch VS Code and press the “Ctrl” and “P” keys at the same time to search for a file to open in the current project.
   
2. Type in the file name.
3. To open the new file in a temporary tab, click on it once.
   
4. To open the new file in a separate window that you can choose to close manually, double-click it.
   

If you wish to open multiple file editors side by side, follow the guide below:

1. Launch VS Code and open your current editor.
   
2. Right-click a file that you wish to open from the File Explorer tab. To search for a specific file, use the “Ctrl+P” or “Cmd+Enter” keyboard shortcut and type in the file name.
   
3. Use the “Cmd” key to split your current editor into two windows.
   
4. Click and hold “Split Editor” located at the upper right corner of a window, then drag it wherever you prefer.
   

How to Fix Unable to Open Multiple Files in VS Code

If VS Code doesn’t allow you to open multiple files, the issue most likely lies in the program settings. To fix that, do the following:

1. Launch VS Code, then click “File” at the upper part of the program window.
   
2. Select “Preferences.”
   
3. Select “Settings.”
   
4. Click “Workspace Settings” and locate the “workbench.editor.showTabs” line. If the value is set at “False” change it to “True.”
   

How to Open Multiple Files With Tabs in VS Code

By default, every new file in VS Code should open in a new tab. Here’s how to do that:

1. Launch VS Code and press the “Ctrl” and “P” keys at the same time to search for a file to open in the current project.
   
2. Type in the file name.
3. To open the new file in a temporary tab, simply click on it once.
   

To open multiple file editors in separate windows in VS Code, follow the instructions below:

1. Launch VS Code and open your current editor.
   
2. Right-click a file that you wish to open from the File Explorer tab. To search for a specific file, use the “Ctrl+P” or “Cmd+Enter” keyboard shortcut and type in the file name.
   
3. Use the “Cmd” key to split your current editor into two windows.
   
4. Click and hold “Split Editor” located at the upper right corner of a window, then drag it wherever you prefer.
   

Frequently Asked Questions

Read this section to find out more about VS Code.

How Do You Open a New File With Code?

If you wish to create a completely new file in VS Code, follow the steps below:

• Open your current project in VS Code.

• Use the “Ctrl+ Shift+P” keyboard shortcut to launch the Command Palette or click “View” from the menu at the upper part of the program, and then choose “Command Palette” from the option list.

• Click “Create New File” from the dropdown menu.

• Choose the type of file you wish to create and confirm by clicking “Ok.” You can type in the file type in case you can’t find it straight away.

However, if you want to open an existing file in VS Code, the instructions are different:

• Launch VS Code and press the “Ctrl” and “P” keys simultaneously to search for a file to open in the current project.

• Type in the file name.

• To open the new file in a temporary tab, click on it once.

• To open the new file in a separate window that you can choose to close manually, double-click it.

How Do I Open Multiple Editors in Visual Studio Code?

By default, new files in VS Code open in temporary tabs. If you wish to open them in a new editor window, follow the instructions below:

• Launch VS Code and open your current editor.

• Right-click a file that you wish to open from the File Explorer tab. To search for a specific file, use the “Ctrl+P” or “Cmd+Enter” keyboard shortcut and type in the file name.

• Use the “Cmd” key to split your current editor into two windows.

• Click and hold “Split Editor” located at the upper right corner of a window, then drag it wherever you prefer.

How Do You Open a Folder in VS Code?

There are three ways to open folders in VS Code, with the first being more convenient but requiring a setup. Here’s how to open a folder in VS Code on Windows using the right-click:

• During the installation, stop at the “Select Additional Tasks” window.

• Mark the checkboxes next to “Add Open with Code action to Windows Explorer file context menu” and “Add Open with Code action to Windows Explorer directory context menu.”

• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

• If you have already installed the program, you can re-install it and follow the instructions above.

• After the function is set up, right-click the folder you wish to open in VS Code and select “Open with Code” from the dropdown menu.

The second method doesn’t require a setup. You can use the command line to create a folder in VS Code:

• Click “File” at the upper part of the program window.

• Select “Add Folder to Workspace” from the dropdown menu.

• Choose an existing folder from your computer or create a new one. The folder should appear in the File Explorer.

• To manage the folder’s settings, right-click on its name, then select an option from the dropdown menu.

Finally, you can simply drag and drop folders to the program. Here’s how to do that:

• Open VS Code and minimize the window.

• Click a folder and hold the left mouse button to drag it to the VS Code file explorer.

• Release the mouse to drop the folder.

Choose the Way You Prefer

Hopefully, with the help of our guide, your VS Code workspace has become easier to use. As most actions in the program can be performed using several methods, it may take some time to find the way you prefer to do things. Regardless of whether you like to open multiple files in VS Code in new windows or temporary tabs, the editor allows you to quickly switch between them, enhancing the great user experience.

Which way of adding folders to VS Code do you find the most convenient? Share your opinions in the comments section below.