Google Chrome is testing a big change to tabs
Google Chrome, the widely-used web browser, is set to introduce an eagerly anticipated feature that many users have been requesting for years: vertical tabs. Currently available in the Chrome Canary experimental build targeted at developers, this new functionality allows users to arrange their tabs vertically in a sidebar on the left side of the browser. By right-clicking on the tab bar, users can select the “Show tabs on side” option, transforming their browsing experience. This update not only aligns Chrome with other browsers like Vivaldi, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge, which have long offered vertical tab options, but also enhances usability for those who juggle multiple tabs daily.
The vertical tab interface brings a host of features that promise to improve tab management significantly. Users can search through their tabs, group them for better organization, and easily create new tabs—all while having the flexibility to switch between vertical and horizontal layouts as needed. Additionally, the sidebar can be collapsed, providing a cleaner and less cluttered browsing environment. While this feature may seem like a simple cosmetic change, it addresses a common pain point for avid tab collectors, making it easier to navigate and manage numerous open tabs. Although the feature is still in the developer beta stage and may undergo modifications before its official release, it represents a promising step forward for Chrome users who have felt left behind in the tab management department.
As Google continues to innovate and enhance the Chrome experience, this new vertical tab feature is sure to be a welcome addition for many users. The ability to customize tab arrangements not only caters to personal preferences but also optimizes productivity, especially for those who frequently work with a multitude of tabs. While the exact timeline for the public release remains uncertain, the anticipation surrounding this update highlights the ongoing evolution of web browsers and the importance of user feedback in shaping future developments. For those who are eager to try it out, the Chrome Canary build is available for download, offering a glimpse into the future of tab management in one of the world’s most popular web browsers.
Google’s
flagship web browser is getting a new feature that people already love in other browsers — vertical tabs.
The new tab feature is available now as part of the
Chrome Canary
experimental build for developers, per
Windows Report
. In the developer beta, when you right-click on the tab bar that normally sits horizontally underneath the URL entry field in Chrome, you’ll now see an option that reads, “Show tabs on side.” This allows you to arrange your tabs vertically. If you do, the tabs will appear in a sidebar on the left side of the browser.
As with any developer beta, the feature will likely get some tweaks before it’s released to users. And there’s no way of telling when that might happen.
Vertical tabs are a feature that has been available in other browsers, such as Vivaldi, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge, for several years now. Chrome users have been living behind the times.
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It sounds like the vertical tab interface gives you most of the features you’d want out of it. You can search tabs, arrange them into groups, create new ones, and switch back and forth between vertical and horizontal tabs at will. You can also collapse the sidebar to clean up your screen. While this is just a cosmetic change to a feature that Chrome has had since its inception, it’s sure to be welcome news among avid tab collectors nonetheless.
That said,
there’s another option
for managing tabs, if you’re brave enough.
