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How to Use Browser Tab Groups
Applies to: Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome
Article Type: How-To
Last Updated: 2026-03-09
Summary
Tab Groups let you organise related browser tabs into named, colour-coded groups — keeping your browser tidy when working on multiple projects at once. This article shows how to create, manage, and use tab groups in Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome.
Prerequisites
- Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome (latest version).
- No admin rights required.
Instructions
1. Create a Tab Group
Bundle related tabs together under a named group.
- Right-click a tab at the top of the browser.
- Select Add tab to new group (Chrome) or Add tab to a new group (Edge).
- A colour-coded label appears to the left of the tab.
- Type a name for the group (e.g.,
Project Alpha,Research,HR Tasks). - Click the colour circle to change the group colour.
- Press Enter to confirm.
2. Add More Tabs to an Existing Group
Expand a group with additional tabs.
- Right-click the tab you want to add to a group.
- Select Add tab to group and choose the group name from the list.
- The tab moves next to the other tabs in that group.
- You can also drag a tab directly onto the group label to add it.
3. Collapse and Expand Tab Groups
Hide grouped tabs to reduce visual clutter.
- Click the group label (the coloured name) to collapse the group.
- All tabs in the group are hidden — only the group label remains.
- Click the group label again to expand and reveal all the tabs.
- This is especially useful when you have many groups open simultaneously.
4. Move or Ungroup Tabs
Rearrange tabs or remove them from a group.
- To move a tab out of a group, drag it away from the group or right-click and select Remove from group.
- To move a tab between groups, right-click the tab and select Add tab to group > choose the new group.
- To delete a group (close all tabs in it), right-click the group label and select Close group.
- To ungroup all tabs (keep them open but remove the grouping), right-click the group label and select Ungroup.
5. Save Tab Groups for Later (Edge)
Preserve tab groups across browser sessions.
- In Microsoft Edge, right-click the group label.
- Select Save group (if available in your version).
- Saved groups appear in the Edge sidebar or Collections for quick access.
- In Chrome, tab groups are automatically restored when you reopen the browser (if Continue where you left off is enabled in Settings > On startup).
Troubleshooting
TIP
Assign distinct colours to each tab group to quickly identify which group a tab belongs to. Use short, descriptive names like "Email", "Budget", or "Meeting Prep."
| Symptom / Error | Potential Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Tab groups option not available | Browser version is outdated | Update your browser to the latest version via Settings > About. |
| Tab groups do not persist after restart | Browser set to open new tab on startup | Change Settings > On startup to Continue where you left off. |
| Cannot drag tabs between groups | Browser glitch | Close and reopen the browser, then try again. |