Chrome Vertical Tabs: How to Turn Them On and Use Them With Workspaces
To use vertical tabs in Chrome, right-click an empty part of the tab strip and choose Show Tabs Vertically, or pick Vertical under Settings -> Appearance -> Tab position. Your tabs move to a side list that is easier to scan. Edge has its own vertical tabs too. NexaTabs adds whole contexts you can park and switch, including Accounts for same-site multiple logins. They work together; NexaTabs doesn't replace vertical tabs.
Your Current Challenges
Long tab lists are hard to scan horizontally
Whole projects stay open when you only need one
Same site needs more than one login without extra profiles
Want local tools that complement Chrome, not fight it
Use Cases
People who already use Chrome vertical tabs
Freelancers switching client contexts
Anyone who wants same-site multiple logins with Accounts
Users who want local-first tab context tools
How NexaTabs Helps
Turn on vertical tabs in Chrome by right-clicking an empty part of the tab strip and choosing Show Tabs Vertically. You can also go to Settings -> Appearance and set Tab position to Vertical. To go back, choose Show Tabs Horizontally the same way. Vertical tabs make a long list easier to scan; they don't change how many tabs are open.
1. Ways to turn on vertical tabs in Chrome
- Tab strip: right-click an empty area and choose Show Tabs Vertically.
- A tab: right-click any tab and choose Show Tabs Vertically.
- Settings: Settings -> Appearance -> Tab position -> Vertical.
- Chrome menu: More -> More tools -> Show Tabs Vertically.
- Mac: View -> Show Tabs Vertically.
If you don't see the option yet, update Chrome. Google rolled the feature out gradually.
2. Vertical tabs in Edge
Select the Search tabs icon at the top left of the Edge window and choose to turn on vertical tabs, or press Ctrl+Shift+, (comma) to switch between vertical and horizontal.
3. Tips for a long vertical list
- Use tab groups to label sets inside the list, and collapse the ones you're not using.
- Use Tab Search (Ctrl+Shift+A, or Cmd+Shift+A on Mac) to jump to a tab by name.
- Close or park whole sets you won't need today, so the list stays short.
4. Vertical tabs and workspaces together
- Vertical tabs show what is open right now in the window.
- NexaTabs workspaces hold whole contexts you can park and reopen: one per client, project or research topic.
- Switch workspaces from the NexaTabs popup or with Alt+Q, and Chrome's vertical list shows only that context.
- Use Accounts when you need same-site multiple logins, and test the sites you care about.
5. About NexaTabs
NexaTabs is a free Chrome and Edge extension. Workspaces are stored locally in your browser, with no NexaTabs account or cloud sync. It is free forever in its present form.
Honest limits
Switching restores saved URLs; unsaved in-page form data is not kept. Accounts support varies by site and is not OS-level isolation. Vertical tab menus and labels can change with browser updates.
Step By Step Guide
1. Right-click an empty part of Chrome's tab strip and choose Show Tabs Vertically (or Settings -> Appearance -> Tab position -> Vertical).
2. In Edge, use the Search tabs icon at the top left or press Ctrl+Shift+, to turn on vertical tabs.
3. Group related tabs in the list and collapse groups you're not using.
4. Install NexaTabs from the Chrome Web Store or Edge Add-ons if you want parkable contexts.
5. Create a workspace for each context (client, research, personal, AI).
6. Switch from the popup or with Alt+Q when you change contexts.
7. Use Accounts only where you need same-site multiple logins, and test the sites you care about.
Why NexaTabs
NexaTabs stays local and privacy-first, and it is designed to sit beside Chrome features like vertical tabs - not replace them. You keep Chrome's list view and gain parkable workspaces.
Benefits
- Easier scanning of open tabs in Chrome
- Cleaner separation of client, research, and personal contexts
- Fewer live stacks open at once
- Same-site multiple logins without profile sprawl (where supported)
Add NexaTabs beside vertical tabs
Park contexts as workspaces, keep Chrome's list view, and try Accounts where you need same-site multiple logins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NexaTabs replace Chrome vertical tabs?
No. Vertical tabs help you see the open list. NexaTabs parks whole contexts as workspaces you can leave and restore. Use both.
Can I use Accounts with vertical tabs?
Yes. Accounts isolates logins per workspace on supported sites. Vertical tabs still show whatever is open in the current window.
How do I turn on vertical tabs in Chrome?
Right-click an empty part of the tab strip and choose Show Tabs Vertically, or open Settings -> Appearance and set Tab position to Vertical. Update Chrome if you don't see it.
Does Edge have vertical tabs too?
Yes. In Edge, select the Search tabs icon at the top left and turn on vertical tabs, or press Ctrl+Shift+, (comma) to switch between vertical and horizontal tabs.