Sale: Get Helperbird Pro for $15

How to Open Helperbird in the Chrome or Edge Side Panel

Learn how to access Helperbird through the side panel in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge so it stays open while you browse.

·

What is the Side Panel?

The side panel is a built-in feature in Chrome and Edge that lets extensions like Helperbird stay open in a panel on the side of your browser window. Instead of opening and closing the popup every time, you can keep Helperbird visible while you browse.

Google Chrome

Step 1: Open the Side Panel

Click the side panel icon in the top-right area of your Chrome toolbar. It looks like a small square docked to the right side of the browser window. If you do not see it, you can also click the three dots menu, then select Side panel.

Step 2: Switch to Helperbird

The side panel will open — it may show your reading list or bookmarks by default. At the top of the side panel, click the dropdown menu and select Helperbird from the list of available panels.

Step 3: Browse with Helperbird Open

Helperbird will now stay open on the side of your screen. You can navigate to any website, adjust your settings, and use any Helperbird feature without the panel closing.

Microsoft Edge

Step 1: Open the Sidebar

Click the sidebar icon in the top-right area of the Edge toolbar, or press Ctrl + Shift + / to toggle the sidebar open.

Step 2: Find Helperbird

In the Edge sidebar, look for the Helperbird icon. If you do not see it, click the + button at the bottom of the sidebar to add Helperbird to your sidebar apps.

Step 3: Browse with Helperbird Open

Click the Helperbird icon in the sidebar. Helperbird will open in a panel on the side of your browser and stay visible as you browse from page to page.

Tips

  • Resize the panel by dragging its left edge to make it wider or narrower.
  • Close the panel at any time by clicking the side panel icon again or pressing the keyboard shortcut.
  • The side panel remembers your choice, so the next time you open it, Helperbird should still be selected.
  • For Firefox users, see our guide on How to Open Helperbird in the Firefox Sidebar.

Video Tutorial

Coming soon

Need Additional Help?

Having trouble opening Helperbird in the side panel? Reach out to our Helperbird support team and we'll walk you through it!

More help articles

What People Are Saying

Join over 1,000,000 people who use Helperbird every day.

Read All Reviews

This tool helps so many of our students at school - not only those students who have dyslexia, but students and adults who have other learning differences (and those who don't!). It helps ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in their learning!

Kim Norris

Kim Norris

Helperbird user

It was helpful at all times for me! I love this tool!

Heather Shepard

Heather Shepard

Helperbird user

Immersive Reader from Microsoft is amazing, but my friends in Google districts were missing out until I found Helperbird. Great for proofreading! Simply highlight the text and have it read back to you, change the spacing in your view, highlight parts of speech, even translate by word or by document to have it read to you and adjust the speed! So amazing that I posted a YouTube tutorial within days of installing it. Plus, unlike many extensions, it didn't ask for obnoxious permissions like asking to delete everything in my Google Drive. #Winner #a11y

GK Techies

GK Techies

Helperbird user

Amazing tool, love the new overlay feature!!

James Connel

James Connel

Helperbird user

I found this extension on a whim to help myself. Suffering with post concussion syndrome symptoms and working remotely is really hard! This extension basically saved my job. It gave me back productivity and the ability to read the screen. This extension has so many neat features I never even knew I needed. I love this and you will too! You don't need to be dyslexic or have dyslexia for this extension to benefit you. Do yourself a giant favor and get it! I highly recommend it!

Catherine Contillo

Catherine Contillo

Helperbird user

This chrome extension is absolutely amazing. I'm a Primary school teacher and it helps children with a broad range of needs. It's so easy to set up. I love the way it syncs across devices so set up is seamless across all the children's computers. The customizable features are a game changer for allowing children to enjoy reading and accessing the web in our school. The best application I have ever seen for school children. Looking forward to trying the iPad application soon.

Luke Mccarthy

Luke Mccarthy

Teacher

Helperbird logo: Stylized owl with large yellow eyes and a beige face, against a green background.

Download Helperbird

Make browsing easier and more accessible with tools like Text to Speech, Immersive Reader, and more.

Get Helperbird

Available on all your favorite browsers and platforms

Browsers

Chrome Edge Firefox Safari

Apps & Add-ons

Google Docs Google Slides iPad iPhone

Site Menu

Quick Links

Features Pricing Help Guides Support Blog Compare

Products

Chrome Edge Firefox Safari Docs Slides

Resources

About Customers In the News Tutorials Updates Security Privacy Our Standards Contact Sales Search

More

Terms Refunds Book a Demo Roadmap

Follow Us

Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok Facebook Reddit