Use document tabs in Google Docs

You can create and manage tabs in Google Docs to better organize your documents.

With tabs, from the left panel, you can:

• Visualize the document structure anytime.
• Use the tabs as sections of a document for easier navigation.

Create a tab

Important: By default, a new document has a tab called “Tab 1.” You can’t delete “Tab 1” unless another tab is present.

1. On your computer, open a document in Google Docs.
2. To open the left panel, at the top left, click Show tabs & outlines .
3. Click Add tab .
   • When you add a tab, it’s similar to when you add multiple sheets in Google Sheets. You can create and manage multiple tabs within a single document
4. Optional: To add a subtab, click Tab options Add subtab .

Tips:

• You can turn a tab into a subtab when you drag and drop one tab onto another. You can nest up to 3 tab levels.
• In suggestion mode, you can view tabs, but you can’t add, move, or remove them.

Find document tabs & outlines

When you open a document, the left panel opens automatically to show the document tabs. If the document contains only one tab with content, the left panel won't open automatically.

To find the document tabs:

1. On a document, at the top left, click Show tabs & outlines .
2. Select the tab that you want.

To find the outline of each tab:

1. Click Tab options Show outline .
2. To hide outline, click Tab options Hide outline .

Tip: You can click on a tab to show and hide the outline.

To close the left panel, click Hide tabs & outlines .

Delete a tab

You only get the “Delete” option if:

• You’re an editor of the document.
• You have more than one tab.

1. On a document, at the top left, click Show tabs & outlines .
2. Click the tab you want to delete.
3. Click Tab options Delete .

Duplicate a tab

You can only duplicate a tab if:

• You’re an editor of the document.
• You have editor access.
• You’re in editing mode.

1. On a document, at the top left, click Show tabs & outlines .
2. Click the tab you want to duplicate.
3. Click Tab options Duplicate .

Tip: When you duplicate a tab, it retains the style applied within that tab.

Rename a tab

You can only rename a tab if:

• You’re an editor of the document.
• You have editor access.
• You’re in editing mode.

1. On a document, at the top left, click Show tabs & outlines .
2. Click the tab you want to rename.
3. Click Tab options Rename .
4. Enter the tab name.
5. Press Enter.

Tip: You can add an emoji to a tab name. On a tab, click Tab options Choose emoji .

Link to a tab

1. On a document, at the top left, click Show tabs & outlines .
2. Click the tab you want to share.
3. Click Tab options Copy link .
4. Share the link.

Tip: You can copy the URL in your browser to get the link to your active tab.

Move a tab

You can only move a tab if the document has more than one tab and you’re in editor mode.

1. On a document, at the top left, click Show tabs & outlines .
2. Click the tab you want to move.
3. Drag and drop the tab to your desired location.

Troubleshooting with tabs

Find tabs Can’t add more tabs Download or print docs with tabs

Related resources

• See & use suggested content in a document
• Work with links & bookmarks