The invention of the browser tab and bookmark functions has increased people’s online productivity. Instead of having multiple windows open, you can instead have multiple tabs in one window.
This feature can help you organize your workflow, allowing you to open a group of web apps or specific topics in their own windows. But what if you want to organize things further, like subgrouping similar web apps or systematically bookmarking open tabs?
Here are five tips to improve your Chrome tab and bookmark experience.
1. Select Multiple Chrome Tabs
If you have many tabs open in one Google Chrome window, you can use the Ctrl (Command on Mac) or Shift buttons to select multiple tabs simultaneously. This way, whether you want to move tabs to a new group, new window, or a new device, you can apply it simultaneously to your chosen tabs.
There are also two ways to select tabs. If you want to pick out multiple tabs next to each other, use the Shift key. You should first open the first tab you want to select, hold the Shift key, and then click on the last tab on the other end. This move selects the first and last tabs and all other tabs in between.
If you want to select specific tabs, you can use the Ctrl or Command key instead. By holding down this key, you can click on the tabs you want to choose. Chrome will then mark each tab you want with a highlight.
2. Move and Group Tabs
Whether you’re doing online research or have multiple web-based tools you need open simultaneously, sorting and organizing your open tabs per window would be a great way of streamlining your workflow. You can group your open tabs by color in Chrome. You can even name these to groups to make it easier to sort and organize.
Moving tabs is pretty simple—all you need is to click and drag on the tab you want to move. Once you’re satisfied with the arrangement of your tabs, you can then group them.
You have to choose the tabs you want to combine in one group—you can use Ctrl (or Command) to select multiple tabs that aren’t sitting together or Shift to choose multiple side-by-side tabs. You can also pick any number of tabs, from just one tab to as many tabs as you have open.
Once done, right-click on any selected tab, and then choose Add tab/s to new group. You have the option to name the group, and you can also pick any of the eight colors to signify each tab group.
Once you’ve finished grouping your tabs, you can click on the color (or group name, if you assigned one) to minimize the tabs into it. This way, you can save on tab space at the top of the browser.
3. Move Tabs and Tab Groups to a New or Existing Chrome Window
If you want to move one tab to a new or existing window, you can do so by right-clicking on the tab. If you have no other Chrome windows open, you should choose Move tab to new window in the context menu.
However, if you have other Chrome windows open, then go to the Move tab to another window submenu in the context menu.
Select New window if you want to move it to a new window. But if you want to move it to an existing window, you will also see a list of open windows you have under New window. Just click on the browser window you want to move the tab to, and you’re done.
You can also move tab groups to a new window. However, you can’t transfer them to an existing one. To move tab groups, right-click on the color or group name, and choose Move group to new window. The tab group will then open to a new window.
Another more convenient way of moving tabs and tab groups is by clicking and dragging them. Just click on the tab you want to move and then drag it out of its existing window. This will open the tab in its own window.
But if you want to move it to another window, you should have both the source window and the receiving window ready. Click on the tab you want to move and then drag it to the title bar of the receiving window.
You can do the same for tab groups, but instead of clicking on a tab, you need to click on the tab group color to drag and drop it. Also, this method of moving tabs or tab groups between windows is best for users who have large or multiple monitors.
If you have multiple Chrome windows open, you can also rename each window to help you organize them as well. Right-click on any part of Google Chrome’s Title Bar that isn’t populated by an icon or tab, and, in the context menu, choose Name window… and a Name this window subwindow will open. Type in your desired name and press OK.
4. Bookmark Your Tab Groups
If you want to bookmark one tab, all you need to do is click on the star icon at the end of the address bar and click Add bookmark. A window will then appear asking you to name the bookmark and under what folder you want to save it.
You can save the bookmark in a custom directory, but if you don’t want to change the settings, then click away. Chrome will keep the bookmark with its default page name and place it in the last bookmark folder you used.
But if you want to save all open tabs, you have to right-click on any part of Google Chrome’s Title Bar that isn’t populated by an icon or tab, then choose Bookmark all tabs…. Alternatively, you can use the Ctrl/Command + Shift + D shortcut to execute the same action.
When you bookmark all open tabs in a window, a Bookmark all tabs window will open. You can choose which subfolder to organize your bookmarks. If you want to have easy access to it, choose Bookmarks bar. You can also set the name of the tabs you want to bookmark for better organization.
Once you’ve saved the open tabs, you should see the name you set under the bookmarks bar. Each tab group will be kept in their respective subfolders, while ungrouped tabs can be found directly under the folder in the bookmarks tab.
5. Quickly Access Your Chrome Bookmarks
Aside from saving web pages for later use, you can also use bookmarks to make launching your frequently used sites easier and quicker. The bookmarks bar only appears when you open a new blank tab by default.
But if you want to have access to your bookmarks, even if you’re on a different website, you have to activate this in the settings.
To do so, go to Google Chrome settings by clicking on the three-button menu at the upper-right hand corner of the window. In that menu, click on Settings.
Once the Settings page opens, choose Appearance on the left-hand menu. Under the Appearance window, click on the Show bookmarks bar slider. Your bookmarks bar will then appear under Google Chrome’s address bar.
Use Google Chrome Efficiently
Whether you’re a professional who uses many web apps or a casual internet user who just wants to have all your streaming services and social media platforms at your fingertips, these tips will help you save time and effort.
By effectively using Google Chrome’s tabs, tab groups, and bookmarks, you can get every webpage you frequently need in one click.
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