Use Google products side by side

Want to get more out of Google Docs for work or school? Sign up for a free Google Workspace trial.

You can use Google products such as Gmail and Calendar in the same window. This helps increase productivity without switching between tabs.

Open two Google products in one window

1. Go to Gmail, Calendar or Google Drive, or open a file in Docs, Sheets or Slides.
2. In the bottom right, click Show side panel .
3. On the right, choose the product you want to open:
   • Calendar : check your schedule and add or edit events.
   • Keep : create a note or list.
   • Tasks : add to-do items and deadlines.
   • Contacts : access your contacts.
   • Voice : make a Google Voice call.
   • Maps : search Google Maps.
4. To close the app panel, on the right, click Close .

Tip: You can get add-ons from Google Workspace to add more options to your side panel.

Learn more:

• Get started with Google Calendar
• How to use Google Keep
• How to use Google Tasks

Close or hide the right-side panel

You can close or hide the Google Workspace-side panel.

• To close the right-side panel: on the right, click Close .
• To hide the right-side panel: if the panel is expanded, in the top right of the app panel, click Close . Then, in the bottom right, click Hide side panel .
• To show the right-side panel: in the bottom right, click Show side panel .

Create a calendar event

1. Go to Gmail or Google Drive, or open a file in  Docs, Sheets or Slides.
2. If the side panel isn’t displayed, in the bottom right, click Show side panel .
3. On the right, click Google Calendar .
4. Click a time on the calendar.
5. Enter event details.
6. Click Save

Learn more about Google Calendar.

Attach a document to a calendar event

1. Go to Google Drive or open a file in Docs, Sheets, Slides or Drawings.
2. If the side panel isn’t displayed, in the bottom right, click Show side panel .
3. On the right, click Google Calendar .
4. Click a time on the calendar.
5. Enter event details.
6. Below 'Add description', click Attach [your document name].
7. Click Save

Find a place or get directions in Google Calendar

1. On a computer, go to Google Calendar .
2. If the side panel isn’t displayed, in the bottom right, click Show side panel .
3. On the right, click Maps .
4. Search for a place.
5. View details about the place or click Directions to get directions.

Tips: 

• To stop Google Maps from opening in Google Calendar: in the top right of the Maps panel, click Close . Then, in the bottom right, click Hide side panel . Your locations will open in a new tab.
• To add travel time to an event directly to Google Calendar: select a travel mode and trip, then click Add to Calendar.

Preview an event's location

1. On a computer, go to Google Calendar .
2. Create an event and enter location information or click on an existing event that has a location.
3. Optional: To preview the location of an event you’re creating, click Preview in Maps .
4. Click the location.
5. View the place information on the right.

Tips: 

• To stop Google Maps from opening in Google Calendar: in the top right of the Maps panel, click Close . Then, in the bottom right, click Hide side panel . Your locations will open in a new tab.
• To add travel time to an event directly to Google Calendar: select a travel mode and trip, then click Add to Calendar.

Create a note or list

1. Go to Gmail, Calendar or Google Drive, or open a file in Docs, Sheets or Slides.
2. If the side panel isn’t displayed, in the bottom right, click Show side panel .
3. On the right, click Keep .
4. Choose an option:
   • Take a note
   • New list 
5. Add the text you want.
6. Click Done.

Learn more about Google Keep.

Add a Keep note to a doc or presentation

1. In Google Docs or Slides, open a document or presentation.
2. If the side panel isn’t displayed, in the bottom right, click Show side panel .
3. On the right, click Keep .
4. Find the note or list you want to add, then drag it to the doc or presentation.

Save text from Docs or Slides in Keep

1. In Google Docs or Slides, open a doc or presentation.
2. Highlight the text you want to add to a note.
3. Right-click on the text, then choose Save to Keep.

Create a task

1. Go to Gmail, Calendar or Google Drive, or open a file in Docs, Sheets or Slides.
2. If the side panel isn’t displayed, in the bottom right, click Show side panel .
3. On the right, click Tasks .
4. Click Add a task.
5. Enter information.
6. Optional: To add details or a due date, click Edit .
7. When you've finished, click Close Tasks .

Tip: To rearrange your tasks, drag the task you want to move.

Learn how to use Google Tasks.

Save an email as a task

1. Go to Gmail.
2. If the side panel isn’t displayed, in the bottom right, click Show side panel .
3. On the right, click Tasks .
4. In your inbox, find the email that you want to save as a task.
5. Drag the email to the right-side panel.

Organise your tasks into lists

You can separate different kinds of tasks, such as your work and personal items.

1. Go to Gmail, Calendar or Google Drive, or open a file in Docs, Sheets or Slides.
2. If the side panel isn’t displayed, in the bottom right, click Show side panel .
3. On the right, click Tasks .
4. At the top next to 'My List' or 'Team', click the Down arrow   Create new list.
5. Enter a name for the list, then click Done.
6. To go to a different list, at the top, next to your list title, click the Down arrow . Choose another list.

Use other apps with Gmail

Add other tools to use with Gmail, including Asana, Trello, Intuit and Docusign.

Install add-ons

1. On your computer, go to Gmail.
2. In the top right, click Settings   Get add-ons.
3. Search for and select the tool that you want to use with Gmail.
4. In the top right, click Install  Continue.
5. Choose your account, then follow the steps on the screen.

Uninstall add-ons

1. On your computer, go to Gmail.
2. In the top right, click Settings  See all settings.
3. Click the Add-ons tab.
4. In the 'Installed add-ons' section, click Manage.
5. Click More Remove.