Effective Ways to Organize Google Docs Using Tabs

Key Insights

• The new ‘Tabs’ feature in Google Docs facilitates better organization of extensive documents, enhancing accessibility to various sections within the document.
• To use Tabs, locate the outline icon (three bullet points) in the top left corner. They are also available under Insert > Document tab or via the shortcut Shift+F11.
• Users can add, manage, rename, duplicate, and share tabs through links.
• The Tabs feature is currently being deployed to a wider user base in Google Docs.

To improve the organization of lengthy content, Google Docs is introducing a feature called Tabs in its web editor. This tool is intended to enhance navigation, prioritize information, and streamline collaboration on large documents.

Steps to Add a Tab in Google Docs

Start by opening a new document in Google Docs.

Next, click on the three bullet-point symbol located at the upper left corner.

If you have the ‘Tabs’ function, a default Tab 1 will be visible.

Each document automatically generates a default tab that remains unless a new tab is created.

To create an additional tab, simply click the + symbol next to ‘Document tabs’.

Alternatively, navigate to Insert > Document tab.

You can also use the Shift+F11 keyboard shortcut.

(Note: The shortcut will not generate a subtab; detailed instructions for creating subtabs are provided below).

How to Display the Document Outline

To reveal or conceal the document outline within a tab, click the tab itself.

An alternative method is to click the three-dot icon adjacent to the tab and select Show/Hide outline.

Renaming a Tab

You can customize the names of all your tabs. Simply click the three-dot icon next to the desired tab and choose Rename.

Enter the new name, and that’s all there is to it.

How to Insert or Change Emojis

You can enhance your tabs with emojis for better visual distinction. Click on the three-dot icon next to a tab and select Choose emoji.

Select your desired emoji.

The chosen emoji will automatically replace the regular document icon preceding the tab name.

Duplicating a Tab

If you have editing rights, duplicating tabs is straightforward. Click on the three-dot icon next to a tab and select Duplicate.

The new tab will appear with “Copy of” prefixed to its original name.

Copying a Tab’s Link

To share a tab along with its contents, copying the tab’s link is simple. Click the three-dot icon next to the tab and choose Copy link.

Once the link is copied, you can paste it anywhere you wish for sharing.

Adding a Subtab

To add a subtab, click on the three-dot icon next to the primary tab and select Add subtab.

You can modify the name, emoji, and other aspects of a subtab just like a regular tab.

Understanding Subtabs

Unlike regular tabs, subtabs must be added through the method described above. You can create a subtab within another subtab in the same manner. Essentially, you can organize them into three levels: Main tab > Subtab 1 > Subtab 2.

Transferring a Tab to Another Tab

Moving a tab under another tab turns it into a subtab automatically. To do this, simply drag and drop the tab onto another tab.

To move a subtab, click the three-dot icon adjacent to it, select Move into, then choose a different Tab group.

Your subtab will now be reclassified under the new tab.

Additionally, you can rearrange tabs in the document outline by clicking the three-dot icon and choosing Move up or Move down as needed.

Transforming a Subtab into a Main Tab

If you need to make a subtab a standalone tab, click the three-dot icon next to it, navigate to Move into, and select Move out of group.

Your subtab will now function as an independent tab.

Using Tabs in Google Docs Mobile App

At this moment, the mobile version of Google Docs does not support creating or managing tabs. However, users can view existing tabs. Simply open the app, access your document, and navigate through the tabs at the bottom.

With Tabs, Google Docs allows users to effectively organize long documents into concise sections. Future updates may enhance this feature with more functionalities, including the option to manage tabs on mobile.

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