Chrome Tab Search: Find open tabs from the keyboard

Quick Answer

Press Ctrl+Shift+A on Windows or Linux to open Tab Search in Chrome, then type a word from the page title. On a Mac use Command+Shift+A. If the shortcut does not open the panel, type @tabs in the address bar, press Tab or Space and search for the open page.

Search for what you remember

Choose a distinctive word from a page title rather than a word you expect to appear in every page. If you have three retailer pages open, try the model code instead of the category name. Open the matching result and check you reached the tab you intended. This is quicker than opening another copy of the same page, particularly when tab labels have shrunk to icons. The address bar method is useful if you cannot see the tab search button or prefer to stay on the keyboard. Wait until Chrome has entered the tab search mode before typing the rest of the query. If you submit a normal web search instead, return to the address bar and confirm the mode changed before entering your words. Try the shortcut on the keyboard you normally use.

Separate open tabs from links you want to keep

The address bar's @tabs search is for tabs that are open. A page you closed yesterday belongs in history or your bookmarks. Chrome also documents @history and @bookmarks as separate shortcuts. Use bookmarks for a shortlist you will need to revisit after closing the browser. To recover something you were reading moments ago, check whether Tab Search shows it in the recently closed section, or look in history. On a compact keyboard, check whether you can reliably press all three keys without changing layers. gaming keyboards can help when you are comparing layouts for work and play. If you browse on the move, inspect the keyboard layout in all laptops on special as part of comparing the whole machine. The browser shortcut itself costs R0.

Check scope when a result seems to vanish

Try a known open page with a distinctive title in your current profile. A separate browser profile is its own browsing context. If you routinely switch between work and personal profiles, check that you opened search in the same profile where you left the page. When the results contain several similar product pages, compare the title and address before jumping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shortcut on Windows?

Press Ctrl+Shift+A.

What is the shortcut on Mac?

Press Command+Shift+A.

How do I search from the address bar?

Type @tabs, activate its search mode with Tab or Space, then enter keywords.

Can I search the text inside every open tab?

Start with a word from the title or address to find the page.

What should I use for pages I want to retain?

Save those pages as bookmarks.

What if the toolbar button is missing?

Try the shortcut or the address bar method.