How to Split Screen on Chromebook?

Having enough digital real estate to carry out all your tasks easily is a blessing nowadays. However, for Chromebook owners, managing all their applications and tabs on a relatively smaller screen can become a hassle. According to a report by Harvard Business Review, people spend about 20% of their work time switching between applications. Constantly jumping from one application to another can be frustrating and waste valuable time. Don’t worry, though; the split screen option in Chromebook helps you run two different tabs side by side.

Just imagine the time you will save by attending an online class on one tab and jotting down virtual notes on the other. Do you want to learn how to split screen on Chromebook and make your work life easier? Let’s get to it!

Why Use Split Screen?  

Before learning how to use a split screen on Chromebook, find out why you should use a split screen. Here are some key benefits of using a split screen:

1. Enhanced Multitasking: The most apparent advantage is running two apps side by side. For example, you could be participating in an online meeting while taking notes in a document or watching a tutorial video while practicing the task on another app.
2. Increased Productivity: The split screen helps you stay more focused on your tasks by reducing the time you spend switching between apps. It’s easier to compare information, write reports while consulting references, or even organize projects while having the to-do list visible at all times.  
3. Real-Time Collaboration: When working with team members or colleagues, a split screen allows you to chat on one side while updating a shared document on the other, making communication and collaboration easier.
4. Convenience for Research and Writing: For students or writers, split screen makes research and note-taking much more efficient. You can easily read articles on one side of the screen and jot down essential points or start drafting your paper on the other.

How to Split Screen on Chromebook?

Here’s how to do split screen on Chromebook by using three different methods:

Method 1: By Using the Maximize Button

It is one of the simplest ways to split your screen on a Chromebook. Here’s the step-by-step guide:

1. Open the app or window you want to use on one side of the screen.
   
   
2. Move your cursor to the maximize button (the square icon at the window's top right corner). Keep it clicked until you see two arrows pointing left and right.  
3. Click on the left or right arrow, and the window will snap to that side of the screen. 
4. Now open another app and repeat the process for the opposite side, so both windows are visible side by side.

Method 2: By Using Keyboard Shortcuts

If you prefer to work quickly, keyboard shortcuts are an excellent way to split your screen in a flash. Here’s how to do it:

1. To snap a window to the left side of the screen, press Alt + [To snap it to the right, press Alt + ].  
   
   
2. After snapping the windows into place, resize them by dragging the vertical line between them. This gives you control over how much screen space each window takes up.

Method 3: By Drag and Drop

The drag-and-drop method is another simple way to split your screen, offering a more tactile approach:

1. Click the title bar at the top of the app you want to move.  
2. Drag the window to the left or right edge of the screen. Once you reach the edge, the window will “snap” into place.  
3. To complete the split screen, open another app and repeat the process for the opposite side of the screen.

3 Tips for Effective Multitasking

Here are 3 tips for effective multitasking that you should know:

1. Adjust Window Sizes for Better Viewing

If you’re watching a video tutorial while following along with the steps, you might want the tutorial window to take up more screen space. The good part is that you can easily resize the windows to give more space to the app or window that requires more attention.     

2. Use a Screen Extender

If you often need more space than a split screen offers, you can use a portable monitor like the MP Portable Monitor. This allows you to turn your Chromebook into a multi-display setup, adding more flexibility to your workflow.

Conclusion

So, whether you’re working, studying, or just managing multiple tasks, splitting the screen is the way to maximize your productivity. With simple methods like using the maximize button, keyboard shortcuts, or dragging and dropping, you can easily split your screen and start multitasking more efficiently.