Google continues to improve the Vertical Tabs experience in Chrome with a small but highly practical feature. The latest Chrome Canary build introduces a keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + Shift + L) that instantly collapses or expands the Vertical Tabs panel, making navigation much faster for keyboard users.
The addition was first spotted by Leopeva64 on X, who noted that this has been one of the most requested features from users who rely on Vertical Tabs. Interestingly, this is another convenience feature that Microsoft Edge still doesn’t offer, despite Edge being one of the earliest Chromium browsers to introduce Vertical Tabs.
Google has added a keyboard shortcut to quickly collapse/expand the vertical tab panel in Chrome Canary (Ctrl+Shift+L). This was one of the most requested features by those who use vertical tabs, and it is another option that Edge still does not offer 🤷:https://t.co/ZAkzEp2ggd pic.twitter.com/nKie9cwn0k
— Leopeva64 (@Leopeva64) July 7, 2026
A simple shortcut that makes a big difference
Vertical Tabs have become increasingly popular among users who regularly work with dozens of open tabs. They provide a cleaner way to organize browsing sessions, especially on widescreen displays.
Until now, collapsing or expanding the Vertical Tabs sidebar required using the mouse. With the latest Chrome Canary update, users can now simply press:
Ctrl + Shift + L
to instantly toggle the sidebar between its expanded and collapsed states.
While the change may appear minor, it significantly improves workflow for users who prefer keyboard-driven navigation or frequently switch between focused reading and tab management.
Why this matters
Google has been steadily enhancing Chrome’s Vertical Tabs experience over the past several Canary releases. The feature is evolving from a simple alternative layout into a productivity-focused browsing mode.
The new shortcut offers several benefits:
- Faster access without reaching for the mouse
- More screen space when the sidebar is collapsed
- Improved productivity for power users
- Better keyboard accessibility
- A smoother experience on laptops and ultrawide monitors
Small quality-of-life improvements like this often have the biggest impact on everyday browsing.
Another feature Edge still doesn’t have
Microsoft Edge has long been recognized for offering one of the best Vertical Tabs implementations among Chromium browsers. However, Google is gradually catching up by adding thoughtful usability improvements.
According to Leopeva64, Edge currently does not include an equivalent keyboard shortcut for instantly collapsing or expanding its Vertical Tabs panel.
That gives Chrome another small—but meaningful—advantage for users who depend heavily on keyboard shortcuts.
Available now in Chrome Canary
The new shortcut is currently available in Chrome Canary, Google’s experimental browser channel where upcoming features are tested before reaching the Stable release.
As with many Canary additions, there’s no official timeline for when the shortcut will arrive in Beta or Stable versions of Chrome. However, if testing proceeds smoothly, it could become available to all Chrome users in the coming months.
Google’s focus on productivity continues
Google has been investing heavily in Chrome productivity features throughout 2026. Recent updates have focused on improving:
- Vertical Tabs
- Tab organization
- Performance
- Workspace efficiency
- Accessibility
- Keyboard navigation
The addition of Ctrl + Shift + L fits perfectly into this broader strategy of making Chrome more efficient for both casual users and professionals who spend hours in the browser every day.
What we think
Although the new keyboard shortcut is a relatively small addition, it’s exactly the type of refinement that Chrome users have been requesting. The ability to instantly collapse or expand the Vertical Tabs sidebar using Ctrl + Shift + L makes the feature significantly more convenient, especially for users who prefer keyboard-first workflows.
With Google continuing to polish the Vertical Tabs experience, Chrome is gradually narrowing the gap with Microsoft Edge while introducing its own unique usability improvements. If this feature successfully makes its way from Canary to Stable, it will be a welcome productivity boost for millions of Chrome users.
