chatgpt-left-sidebar-guide

The ChatGPT Left Sidebar Guide | ITIAN Knowledge Hub

Module 2 · Lesson 1 of 4 · Course Lesson 5 of 26

The ChatGPT Left Sidebar Guide

Learn where to start a chat, search past work, open Projects, find saved files and confirm your active account—without feeling lost when the interface changes.

Beginner
About 12 minutes
Navigation activity
4-question check

Learning Objectives

What you will learn

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Open and close the sidebar on desktop and mobile.
Start a fresh conversation without losing an existing chat.
Search titles and conversation content for an older chat.
Explain the difference between recent chats, Projects and Library.
Recognise optional sidebar areas that depend on plan, platform and rollout.
Confirm the active account and workspace from the profile area.

Sidebar Map

Read the sidebar from top to bottom

Your screen may not show every item below. ChatGPT features and labels can vary by plan, device, workspace, settings and rollout.

1New chatStarts a fresh conversation. Your existing saved chat remains in history.

2SearchFinds keywords in chat titles and conversation content.

3ProjectsGroups related chats, files and project-specific instructions.

4Optional feature areasLibrary, Images, GPTs or Scheduled may appear depending on availability.

5Profile and settingsShows the active account or workspace and opens settings, plan and sign-out controls.

Main Areas

What each sidebar area is for

New chat

Use this when the new task is unrelated to the current conversation or needs a clean context.

Search

Find past chats using a distinctive title, phrase, name or keyword you remember.

Projects

Keep chats, source files and instructions together for a long-running objective.

Library

On supported web accounts, browse uploaded and generated files saved to your account.

Recent chats

Reopen recent work quickly. Older conversations may drop from the short list without being deleted.

Profile area

Check the active account and workspace before changing settings or looking for missing work.

Library files are managed separately from chats

Current OpenAI guidance says deleting a chat does not automatically delete files saved in Library. Open Library to review or remove saved files directly.

History Search

Find an older conversation quickly

Search is more reliable than scrolling through a long recent-chat list.

Ctrl + KHistory search shortcut on PC webCmd + KHistory search shortcut on Mac web

Open the left sidebar.
Select the search magnifying glass or use the appropriate keyboard shortcut.
Enter an exact or distinctive phrase from the title or conversation.
Open the matching result to read or continue the chat.
Try another specific phrase if the first search is too broad.
Remember that archived chats can appear in search, while deleted chats cannot.

An older chat missing from Recents may still exist

The recent list is kept compact for speed. Search can retrieve older saved conversations that no longer appear in that short list.

Projects and Library

Use the right place for the right material

Use a Project when:

The work continues over several conversations.
Several chats need the same files or instructions.
You want a recognisable name, colour and icon in the sidebar.
You are building a course, website, research plan or recurring workflow.

Use Library when available to:

Browse files uploaded to or created in ChatGPT.
Search and filter saved files by type.
Add an existing saved file to a new conversation.
Delete a saved file independently from its original chat.

Desktop and Mobile

The same ideas, a different amount of space

Desktop and web

The sidebar may remain open beside the conversation.
Use the sidebar-toggle control to create more working space.
Keyboard shortcuts can speed up history search.
Some features, including Library, may be web-first.

Phone and tablet

Open the menu control near the top of the app.
The sidebar usually overlays or replaces the conversation view.
Tap a chat to open it, then close the sidebar to continue.
Feature availability and placement may differ from web.

Practical Activity

Complete the sidebar navigation challenge

Tick each task after completing it in your own account. Progress is stored in this browser.

I opened and closed the sidebarI found the menu or sidebar-toggle control on my device.I started a New chatI confirmed that my previous saved chat remained available.I opened history searchI used the magnifying glass or keyboard shortcut.I found an older chatI searched a specific phrase and opened the correct result.I located ProjectsI identified where New project appears in my sidebar.I checked for Library or ImagesI noted which file or image areas are available on my account.I reopened a recent conversationI continued the existing chat instead of starting again.I confirmed my active accountI checked the email, account or workspace in the profile area.

A Simple Routine

Keep the sidebar useful

1. NameUse recognisable chat and project titles.

2. GroupMove long-running work into Projects.

3. SearchUse exact keywords instead of endless scrolling.

4. ReviewArchive clutter and delete only when certain.

Troubleshooting

When the sidebar looks different

What you see	What to check
The sidebar is missing	Look for the menu or sidebar-toggle control near the top edge of ChatGPT. On mobile, it may be hidden until tapped.
A feature shown in the lesson is absent	Check your plan, workspace policy, device, app version and rollout. Use the feature labels actually available to you.
An older chat is not in Recents	Use history search with a distinctive phrase and check Archived Chats.
Projects or chats look wrong	Confirm the active account and personal or managed workspace.
Library is not visible	Check ChatGPT on the web and ensure your app is current. Library availability can vary by workspace and rollout.
The interface will not load correctly	Refresh, restart the app, check your connection and review OpenAI Status.

Finish the Lesson

Record your progress

Mark Lesson 5 complete

Your completion choice is saved in this browser. The next lesson covers managing chat history in more detail.

Official References

Learn more from OpenAI

This lesson was checked against current official OpenAI Help Centre guidance.