> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.overleaf.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.overleaf.com/navigating-in-the-editor/working-with-the-pdf-viewer/editor-and-pdf-layout-and-sizing.md). # Editor & PDF layout and sizing You can adjust the placement and size of the components within the Overleaf editor window. ## Layout options The following image shows the Layout options menu with a checkmark next to the currently active option(s); here, it is the default setting of **Split view**:

The layout options menu open. The options are 1. Split view (selected), 2. Editor only, 3. PDF only, 4. Open PDF in separate tab, and 5. Focus mode.

The remainder of this article demonstrates each of the five options and the functionality they provide. ### Split view (the default) This default option uses a single browser tab to display the LaTeX editor and PDF preview. This arrangement works well if you have a large display screen with sufficient space to organize your work. If you are using a laptop connected to a large external screen, the [#open-pdf-in-a-separate-tab](#open-pdf-in-a-separate-tab "mention") option, displaying the LaTeX editor and PDF preview in separate browser tabs, can be a more convenient configuration.

Image of the default layout of the editor of the editor and PDF preview in the same browser tab — Layout default

### Editor only + PDF only If you wish to temporarily hide the PDF preview or LaTeX text editor, you can use the layout modes of Editor only or PDF only and easily switch between them as required. Besides the [#layout-options](#layout-options "mention") menu, there are other ways to switch between the **Split view**, **Editor only**, and **PDF only** modes, depending on your current mode. {% tabs %} {% tab title="Small arrow" %}


In Split view, you can hide the PDF (switch to Editor only) using the small arrow to the right of the source code.
In Editor only, you can show the PDF (switch to Split view) using the same small arrow.

{% endtab %} {% tab title="Switch to editor + Switch to PDF buttons" %}


In PDF only, you can switch to Editor only using the button in the top-right corner of your screen.
In Editor only, you can switch to PDF only using the button in the top-right corner of your screen.
In Focus mode, simplified swapping buttons are introduced.

In PDF only, you can switch to Editor only using the button in the top-right corner of your screen.

In Editor only, you can switch to PDF only using the button in the top-right corner of your screen.

In Focus mode, simplified swapping buttons are introduced.

The condensed switch to PDF icon, showing its label when hovered over.

The condensed switch to Editor icon, showing its label when hovered over.

{% endtab %} {% endtabs %} ### Open PDF in a separate tab This layout option uses separate browser tabs for the Overleaf text editor and PDF preview, making it possible to work with Overleaf on two screens; for example, viewing the PDF preview on a laptop screen with the LaTeX editor displayed on a second, much larger, external screen—providing a convenient way to edit the LaTeX text. {% columns %} {% column %}

Image of PDF in different tab and the "Open PDF in separate tab" layout option selected

{% endcolumn %} {% column %}

Image of PDF in the selected tab with the Recompile button still visible

{% endcolumn %} {% endcolumns %} {% hint style="success" %} Having the PDF preview displayed on a separate screen can be useful during video presentations, enabling attendees to focus on the PDF without becoming distracted by the source code, which is on another (unshared) screen. {% endhint %} ## Focus mode Select **Focus mode** (⌘/Ctrl+⇧+M) to hide non-essential buttons and toolbars to allow you to concentrate on writing. It works in combination with the Layout options above. While Focus mode is active the following are hidden: * The menubar (File, Edit, Insert, etc.) * The History and Share buttons * Sidebar options (toggles for File Tree, Project Search, Integrations, etc.) * Sidebar panels (File Tree panel, Review panel, Integrations panel, etc.) * Editor tools (Insert Math, Insert Table, etc.) ### Focus mode with different layouts {% tabs %} {% tab title="Split view" %} In Split view's focus mode, there aren't any side panels and there are simplified options in the main project toolbar.

The editor and PDF viewer in split mode in combination with Focus mode. Only a simplified toolbar shows across the top.

{% endtab %} {% tab title="Editor only" %} Editor only's focus mode is similar to Split view's focus mode but with a **Switch to PDF** option**.**

The Editor-only view along with Focus mode showing the simplified toolbar at the top. There's no PDF preview showing.

{% endtab %} {% tab title="PDF only" %} PDF only's focus mode is similar to Split view's focus mode but with a **Switch to editor** option**.** The PDF toolbar remains the same.

The PDF-preview only view with focus mode. The PDF toolbar is still available and the simplified toolbar above.

{% endtab %} {% tab title="PDF in separate tab" %} Notice the PDF viewer is in a separate browser tab. The **Show in code** button appears (top right) for [Moving between the editor and PDF](/navigating-in-the-editor/working-with-the-pdf-viewer/moving-between-the-editor-and-pdf.md).

Two windows overlapping. The window underneath is the editor-only view and the one on window is the PDF-only preview with focus mode activated.

{% endtab %} {% tab title="Tabs" %} Open tabs stay accessible so you don't need to exit to swap between files. More details on tabs in the [next section](#tabs-1).

A loop showing two tabs open with the Editor-only and focus modes active. The first tab is a Markdown list of tasks for the project. The other is the main.txt. The user adds strikethrough for an item on the list and then goes back to editing by clicking the main.tex tab.

{% endtab %} {% tab title="Command Palette" %} Join our [Labs program](/accounts-and-security/overleaf-labs.md) to try out the [Command palette](https://docs.overleaf.com/accounts-and-security/overleaf-labs/live-experiments#command-palette). With this upgrade you can extend your reach right from the keyboard without leaving Focus mode. You can even swap between tabs by searching the name of the file and selecting it.

The Command palette menu open and showing lots of document commands.

{% endtab %} {% endtabs %} ## Tabs When you click on a file in the file tree, it will open as a tab at the top of the editor. Tabs make it easy to switch between your main `.tex` file, bibliography, images, and any other project files.

Three tabs open: 1. stb-template.tex (selected), 2. references.bib, 3. booksvg.pdf (italicized)

By default, tabs stays open until you close it by using the **x** button to the right of the tab. If you right-click a tab, you will be presented with options to **Close** the current tab, **Close other tabs**, or **Close tabs to the right** (if they exist):

### Preview editor tabs A **preview editor tab** (denoted by an italicized file name, e.g. *booksvg.pdf* in the previous image) is useful when you are quickly flicking through files and don't want to congest the editor with lots of open tabs. When enabled, selecting another unopened file will replace the previewed file accordingly. A preview editor tab becomes a regular editor tab when you interact with its contents, or when you double-click the file name either in the tab or in the file tree. {% hint style="info" %} Preview tabs are off by default. Go to File > Settings > Editor (or select **Tab settings** from the menu that appears after right-clicking a tab) to toggle **Preview editor tabs** on. {% endhint %} ## Resizing To hide the file list or preview panes altogether, click on the thin panels at the side of the vertical divider bars. You can restore the file list and preview panels by clicking on the respective arrow buttons again.

GIF of resizing options — Resizing, hiding and restoring the file list, source code and preview panels

--- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://docs.overleaf.com/navigating-in-the-editor/working-with-the-pdf-viewer/editor-and-pdf-layout-and-sizing.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.