(Credit: Google)
I spend a lot of time comparing web pages in Google Chrome. Typically, I have to review information in one place and copy it to use in another, which can be a hassle since I constantly have to switch between pages. If only there were an easy way to view them both at once. Thankfully, there's now a solution.
The latest version of Chrome includes a new split-view mode. Here, you can set up two pages to appear side by side within the same tab. Each page works independently, so you can still navigate them individually. You’re also able to move the vertical separation bar to control the size of each window. This type of feature isn't new; Microsoft Edge already offers something similar, and Apple's iPad has a multitasking feature. But it's a welcome addition to Google's browser.
The latest update also adds a PDF viewer to the browser and makes it easier to add these files to Google Drive. To try out these features, you'll need version 145 of Chrome for the desktop. Open the browser, click the three-dot icon at the upper right, move to Help, and then select About Google Chrome. The browser will automatically download and install the latest version if necessary. Just restart Chrome, and you’re good to go. Now, here's what the feature can do.
View Chrome in Split View
To check out split view mode, open two pages in Chrome, then right-click on one of the page tabs. You can then select Add tab to split view.
(Credit: PCMag / Google)Your current page opens in a window on the left side of the screen. A window on the right side then asks which tab you wish to open. Select the page you want to see, and both pages then appear side by side.
(Credit: PCMag / Google)You can navigate and work with each page separately. To resize them, move the separation bar left or right, and you can change the respective widths of each page.
(Credit: PCMag / Google)You’re also able to control the split view itself. For that, right-click on the split tab and move to Arrange split view. The menu that appears offers a few choices:
- Separate views removes the split view and reopens your current page in full-screen mode.
- Close left view closes the page on the left and displays the page on the right full-screen.
- Close right view closes the page on the right and displays the one on the left full screen.
- Reverse views swaps the left and right pages.
(Credit: PCMag / Google)You can also swap out one of the tabs in the split view with a different page. To do this, right-click the tab you want to add, then select Move tab into split view. Choose whether you want to swap it with the left view or the right view; it joins the split view in place of one of the existing tabs.
(Credit: PCMag / Google)Better PDF Management
But that’s not all for Chrome's version 145. The same update also introduces a built-in PDF viewer that lets you annotate PDFs. To do this, open a PDF in the browser. You can then click the Draw icon on the top toolbar to open a sidebar with pen, highlighter, and eraser tools. Select the one you want to use and change the size or color. You can then highlight or annotate areas of the PDF. When you’re done, download the PDF or save it to Google Drive.
(Credit: PCMag / Google)That leads to the other notable improvement in Chrome. You’re now able to save PDFs directly to Google Drive. Click the new Save to Google Drive icon in the top right. You’ll be asked to confirm your account, and the file will be stored in a dedicated “Saved from Chrome” folder in your Google Drive.
(Credit: PCMag / Google)