The Easiest Way to Duplicate a Google Chrome Tab
Want to quickly duplicate a Google Chrome tab? There's a simple shortcut that will save you time and clicks. Here's how to do it:
The Shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+T (Windows, Linux) or Cmd+Shift+T (macOS)
That's it! Pressing this key combination will instantly duplicate the currently selected tab, opening a new tab with the exact same URL and content. This is incredibly handy if you need to work with the same webpage in multiple tabs simultaneously.
Why Duplicate a Tab?
Duplicating tabs offers several advantages:
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Simultaneous Work: Need to compare information, edit documents side-by-side, or access different parts of a website? Duplicating the tab lets you do all this without constantly switching back and forth.
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Avoiding Accidental Closures: Sometimes you accidentally close a crucial tab. The duplicate tab shortcut provides an immediate solution, preventing the need to navigate back to the page.
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Organized Workflows: Many users find duplicating tabs helps them stay organized, separating different tasks or information related to a single website.
What if Ctrl+Shift+T (or Cmd+Shift+T) Doesn't Work?
If this shortcut isn't working, ensure your keyboard is correctly configured. Sometimes keyboard conflicts or specific application settings might interfere. Try restarting your browser or computer.
Other Ways to Duplicate a Tab (Less Efficient)
While the keyboard shortcut is the most efficient, you can also duplicate a tab by:
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Right-clicking the tab: Right-click on the tab you want to duplicate and select "Duplicate".
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Dragging the tab: Click and hold the tab, then drag it to a new location in the tab bar. This will create a copy.
However, these methods are significantly slower than using the keyboard shortcut.
Can I Duplicate Specific Tabs?
The Ctrl+Shift+T (or Cmd+Shift+T) shortcut duplicates the currently active tab. There isn't a built-in shortcut to duplicate a specific tab other than the active one. You'd have to use the right-click method mentioned above.
How to Reopen Recently Closed Tabs?
This is a separate, but related, function. If you accidentally closed a tab and don't have a duplicate, use Ctrl+Shift+T (Windows, Linux) or Cmd+Shift+T (macOS) repeatedly. Chrome will reopen tabs in reverse chronological order of their closure. This is a lifesaver for recovering accidentally closed tabs.
By mastering this simple shortcut, you’ll streamline your browsing experience and significantly improve your workflow within Google Chrome.