How to Customise and Move the Side Panel in Google Chrome to the Left or Right

Modern web browsing frequently involves comparing reference notes, inspecting bookmarks, reviewing reading lists, and referencing search history alongside active web pages. Rather than opening separate browser windows or repeatedly opening and closing overlay dropdown menus, Google Chrome features a dedicated Side Panel. The Side Panel docks productivity utilities right beside your active tab. Depending on whether you use multiple monitors, prefer a left-hand navigation flow, or wish to preserve horizontal page width, Chrome allows you to shift its physical alignment and customise which tools stay pinned. Learning how to customise and move the Side panel in Google Chrome ensures an ergonomic, tailored workspace.

What Features Are Available in the Chrome Side Panel?

The Chrome Side Panel serves as an integrated tray for multiple built-in utilities and web extensions:

• Bookmarks: Browse, search, and organize your bookmark directory in an expandable tree view without covering your active page content.
• Reading List: Save articles to read later offline and mark items as read once completed.
• History: Search past browsing sessions, grouped journeys, and recently closed tabs without leaving your current site.
• Reading Mode: Strips extraneous advertising, styling, and clutter from text articles to present a clean reading view with customisable typography and contrast tones.
• Pinned Extensions: Many productivity extensions (such as translation tools, note-taking apps, and password managers) can dock directly into the panel for persistent side-by-side access.

How to Open and Customise Tools in the Chrome Side Panel

Accessing and toggling between panel tools requires only a quick click:

1. Launch Google Chrome on your PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
2. Locate the Side panel icon in the top toolbar (positioned adjacent to your profile icon and extension puzzle piece).
3. Click the icon to expand the sidebar tray.
4. Click the dropdown menu at the top of the panel to switch between available tools (such as Bookmarks, Reading list, or History).
5. To keep a specific utility immediately accessible in your main browser toolbar, right-click its entry in the dropdown or click the Pin to toolbar pushpin icon. This creates a dedicated shortcut icon right next to your address bar.

How to Move the Chrome Side Panel from Right to Left

By default, Chrome opens the Side Panel on the right-hand side of your display. If you prefer navigating from the left edge (mirroring standard document outlines or code editors):

1. Click the three vertical dots (More menu) in the top-right corner of Chrome.
2. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
3. In the left-hand navigation menu of the Settings page, click Appearance.
4. Scroll down to the Side panel section.
5. Under “Show on the left or right”, select the radio button for Show on the left.
6. Return to your active web browsing tabs. Whenever you open the Side Panel, it will now slide open smoothly along the left edge of your browser window.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Faster Side Panel Navigation

You can toggle and search Side Panel components quickly using native shortcuts:

• Open Bookmarks in Side Panel: Press Ctrl + Shift + O (on Windows) or Cmd + Option + B (on macOS).
• Open Reading List: Right-click any tab and choose Add tab to reading list to auto-open the panel.
• Toggle Fullscreen Reading View: When Reading Mode is active in the Side Panel, click and drag the divider bar between the webpage and the panel to resize the reading column to your desired reading width.