How to activate vertical tabs on your favorite browser
We all want to set up our programs the way we want them to, and browsers are no exception. You can make aesthetic changes, e.g. For example, move the icons of your favorite extensions to make them easier to reach, or change the background of new empty tabs.
But you can also revolutionize the way you use the program by changing how tabs spread out during a browsing session. You can rearrange and pin them, of course, but you can also move their position down to the side of your screen instead of at the top. The option has just returned to the latest edition of Safari on macOS, but other browsers have vertical tabs too.
While it doesn’t sound like a big change, it can make a huge difference to your browsing experience. You can access the tabs on the side more easily and scan faster (especially if you’re using an ultrawide monitor), and webpages benefit from more vertical real estate on your screen. It’s an option worth trying to see if it works for you.
The latest version of Safari is bringing back vertical tabs – the feature was previously available but hasn’t been in recent years. By default, the tabs appear in the sidebar, which you can make visible by clicking Show sidebar icon in the toolbar or by opening the outlook Menu and then select Show sidebar.
[Related: 5 browser extensions that will keep you from drowning in tabs]
As you browse, your tabs will appear on the left side of the screen, along with any tab groups you’ve saved (just click on any of them to expand them). Click and drag a tab to change its position in the list or to drag it into an existing tab group. You can also right-click a tab title to access all standard tab options in a pop-up menu, including close tab, Duplicate taband copy link.
How to get vertical tabs in Chrome
Google Chrome doesn’t natively support vertical tabs, so you’ll need the help of a third-party extension. The perfectly named Vertical Tabs are the best option we’ve found, and it doesn’t cost you anything. Just download the add-on, then click the orange vertical tabs icon on the Chrome toolbar to activate it.
You can drag and drop tabs to rearrange them, refresh and close tabs using the buttons on the right, and search your tabs using the box at the top. Right-click a tab for options such as Pen and Mute this tab, and click the gear icon at the top to go to the extension options. From there you can choose which side of the screen the tabs are on and choose between dark and light themes.
How to bring vertical tabs into Firefox
Just like Chrome, if you want to get vertical tabs in Firefox, you’ll need the help of a third-party extension. And just like Google’s browser, the solution is an add-on called Vertical Tabs, although it’s not the same one we mentioned above. This tool is a good and free option that is absolutely easy to use. You can show or hide the sidebar by clicking the vertical tabs icon that appears on the Firefox toolbar once you download the extension. You can also click the gear icon above the vertical tabs to access the tool’s settings, where you can choose a theme, among other things, if you like.
You can change the position of tabs by dragging and dropping them onto the sidebar and clicking to close them X symbols on the right. Right-click on any of the tabs for all the essential features you need while browsing, such as: Reload tab, close taband Mute tab..
How to enable vertical tabs in Edge
Microsoft has added vertical tabs as a native feature to its Edge browser, so you don’t need any extensions when using this web browsing app. To enable them, click the “Tab Action Menu” button, which is located in the upper-left corner of the browser and looks like a square with two small rectangles around it, indicating a browser interface. Then choose Enable vertical tabs. The tab headers then switch from the top to the left edge of the interface.
As always, you can drag and drop tabs to change their order and close them with a click of X Icons on the right and access a variety of other options – from refreshing tabs to restoring the last closed tab – by right-clicking on a tab header. Click the tabs action menu again to disable or browse vertical tabs.
How to get vertical tabs Opera
If Opera is your browser of choice, you’ll need to install a free extension called Vertical Tabs — again, not the same one available for Chrome or Firefox. Once you’ve installed it, you’ll see a new icon on the left side of the toolbar that looks like four horizontal lines on top of each other. Click to show or hide the vertical tab list. You can also click the pin icon in the actual vertical tab list to keep it visible.
[Related: Twelve ways to make your new browser tabs more exciting]
You can rearrange tabs by dragging and dropping them, and when you hover over a tab title, you can close it by clicking X On the right side. On the side of the vertical tab panel, you’ll see buttons for pinning and grouping tabs, browsing tabs, and all other essential functionality you need.