Introduction
The Chrome side panel opens next to the page you are reading and gives you quick access to your Reading List, Bookmarks, History, Google Lens and Reading mode. You open each one from the Chrome menu, and you can pin the ones you use to the toolbar. This guide follows Google’s Manage Chrome side panel help and works the same on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS.
How to Open the Chrome Side Panel
Each side panel opens from the Chrome menu. Select More (three dots) at the top right, then:
- Reading list: Bookmarks and lists > Reading list > Show reading list.
- Bookmarks: Bookmarks and lists > Show all bookmarks.
- History: History > Show history in side panel.
- Google Lens: Search this tab with Google Lens.
- Reading mode: More tools > Reading mode.
To close the side panel, select Close at its top right. To make it wider or narrower, drag its edge.
Pin a Side Panel to the Toolbar
- Open the side panel you want, as above.
- Next to the panel’s name, select Pin to toolbar.
- Its icon now stays in the toolbar. To remove it, right-click the icon and select Unpin.
Using the Reading List Panel
The Reading List feature allows you to save articles to read later.
Adding Pages to the Reading List
- Open the webpage you want to save.
- Select More > Bookmarks and lists > Reading list > Add tab to reading list.
- Or right-click the tab and select Add tab to reading list.
Accessing Your Reading List
- Select More > Bookmarks and lists > Reading list > Show reading list.
- Your saved pages appear in the side panel, where you can also reorder, edit and delete them.
Utilizing the Bookmarks Panel
The Bookmarks panel in the Chrome side panel helps manage your bookmarks efficiently.
Access Your Bookmarks
- Select More > Bookmarks and lists > Show all bookmarks.
- Your bookmarks open in the side panel.
Organizing Bookmarks
- Within the Bookmarks panel, you can drag and drop bookmarks to rearrange them.
- Right-click on a bookmark to rename or delete it.
Searching with Google Lens in the Side Panel
Google Lens shows its results in the side panel, so you can search without leaving your current tab (Google’s Search with Google Lens in Chrome help). It needs Google as your default search engine.
Performing a Search
- Select More > Search this tab with Google Lens, or right-click the page and choose the same option.
- Select anything on the page, or type a question about the page.
- Results appear in the side panel. Select a result to open it in a new tab.
Customizing the Side Panel
You can choose which side of the window the panel opens on.
Changing Panel Options
- Select More > Settings.
- Select Appearance from the left menu.
- Under Side panel, select the side you want the panel to open on.