<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<page xmlns="http://projectmallard.org/1.0/" xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" type="topic" id="gedit-open-files-from-sidepane" lang="en_GB">

  <info>
    <link type="guide" xref="index#configure-gedit"/>
    <desc>Use gedit's side pane as a file browser.</desc>
  <credit type="translator copyright"><name>Zander Brown</name><email>zbrown@gnome.org</email><years>2020</years></credit></info>

  <title>View and open files from the side panel</title>
  <p>The most common way to switch between files in <app>gedit</app> is by using the tabs at the top of the <app>gedit</app> window. In some cases, though, particularly when you are working with a large number of open files, you may find it easier to use the side panel.</p>

  <p>To activate the side panel, select <guiseq><gui>View</gui> <gui>Side Panel</gui></guiseq>, or just press the <key>F9</key> key.</p>

  <note style="note">
    <p>You can toggle the side panel open or closed by pressing <key>F9</key> at any time.</p>
  </note>

<!-- TODO: This section is duplicated from gedit-plugins-file-browser.page; does it make sense here? -->
  <section id="sidepane-open">
    <title>Opening files from the side panel</title>
    <p>To open files from the side panel, first open the side panel by selecting <guiseq><gui>View</gui> <gui>Side Panel</gui></guiseq> (or just press <key>F9</key>), and then choose <gui>File Browser</gui> from the dropdown at the top of the panel.</p>

    <p>This will activate the <em>File Browser</em> mode of the side panel. You can then use the navigation buttons at the top of the panel to locate and open your desired files.</p>
  </section>

  <section id="sidepane-switch">
    <title>Using the side panel to switch between open files</title>
    <p>Once you have several files open, you can use the side panel to switch between open files. To list open files, choose <gui>Documents</gui> from the dropdown at the top of the panel.</p>

    <p>Clicking on any file name in the side panel will open that file for editing.</p>
  </section>

 </page>
