Google Side Panel: work with two Google apps in one window

The Google Side Panel allows quick access to multiple Google Workspace apps (Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Keep, Tasks, Maps) in the same window. By default, the Side Panel is hidden. To open and starting using the Side Panel, follow these steps in our GIF below:

Find your Side Panel

• Go to Gmail, Calendar, Chat, Drive, or a file in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
• At the bottom right, click Show side panel .
• 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 the directory and your own contacts. Search and find more info for your contacts.
  • Maps : Search Google Maps.
• To close the app panel, on the right, click Close .

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, at the bottom right, click Hide side panel .
• To show the right side panel: At the bottom right, click Show side panel .

Create a calendar event

1. Go to Gmail, Calendar, Chat, Drive, or a file in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
2. If the side panel isn’t displayed, on 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.

   1. Learn more about Google Calendar.

Create a note or list

1. Go to Gmail, Calendar, Chat, Drive, or a file in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
2. If the side panel isn’t displayed, on 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.

Create a task

1. Go to Gmail, Calendar, Chat, Drive, or a file in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
2. If the side panel isn’t displayed, on 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're done, click Close Tasks .

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

Learn how to use Google Tasks.

Search and view details in the Wake Forest Directory and Contacts 

1. Go to Gmail, Calendar, Chat, Drive, or a file in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
2. If the side panel isn’t displayed, on the bottom right, click Show side panel .
3. Select the Contacts icon in the Side Panel
   
4. Search or select a contact
   
5. Faculty and staff contacts will show name, title and position, home department, contact details, and recent email, calendar, and file interactions. Student contacts will show name, email address, year and program of study. 
   
6. Individuals may add more information, such as profile photo, hometown, and more by editing their Google Profile.
7. You can visit this Google Help article for step by step instructions on how to sync your Google Contacts to your phone, tablet, or computer.

*Please note, our student information system (Banner SIS, and in the future, Workday Student) is the official source of record for students and feeds some information fields in Google Directory. Workday is the official source of record for faculty and staff and feeds some information fields in Google Directory. Learn more about the Wake Forest University Internal Directory.