One of the most requested features by writers, developers, and educators using Google Workspace is a native collapsible folder sidebar—similar to the project file trees found in modern tools like Notion, VS Code, and Obsidian.
In this guide, we will walk through how to install and master the free Folder Manager for Google Docs, Sheets & Slides Chrome extension to organize your documents with zero configuration required.
Step 1: Install the Free Chrome Extension
Head to the Chrome Web Store and install the official Folder Manager extension. It installs in a single click and requires no account creation, passwords, or risky third-party server permissions.
Step 2: Open Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides
Navigate to docs.google.com, sheets.google.com, or slides.google.com. You will notice a clean, collapsible folder panel docked neatly to the left side of your screen.
Step 3: Create Your Custom Project Folders
Click the "+ New Folder" button in your new sidebar. Name your folders based on your personal workflow (e.g. "Client Proposals", "Q3 Sprint", "Lecture Notes", "Templates").
Step 4: Drag & Drop Documents Into Place
From your homescreen or directly within any active document, drag files straight into your designated sidebar folders. The extension remembers your document assignments instantly.
Step 5: Pin Your Top Folders for Instant Access
Hover over any folder and click the 📌 Pin icon. Your pinned folders will stay anchored at the very top of your sidebar across all Google Workspace tabs, giving you one-click access to your most urgent deliverables.
Get the Folder Sidebar for Google Workspace
Transform Google Docs, Sheets & Slides with a sleek, collapsible folder system. 100% private and free forever.
Advanced Sidebar Features You'll Love
- Collapsible View: Click the toggle arrow anytime to collapse the sidebar when you want distraction-free full-screen writing.
- Multi-Account Scoping: Automatically isolates work, school, and personal Google profiles so your folder hierarchies never get mixed.
- Instant Scoped Fuzzy Search: Search through dozens of folders and files in real-time right from the top of the sidebar.