SharePoint Document Issues

How to Stop the SharePoint Toolbox Pane from Opening Automatically

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users want to prevent the SharePoint Toolbox pane from appearing by default when editing modern pages.

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Entering Edit mode on a modern SharePoint site or communication page.
Observed behavior: The Toolbox pane automatically pops up by default, significantly reducing the available page working area, especially on smaller screens or portrait monitors.

Before you start

Note that SharePoint currently controls the Toolbox pane behavior globally across modern pages, and there are no native site-level toggles to change this default automatic pop-up behavior.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Browser Zoom Settings to Reclaim Space

Since there is no built-in disable button, reducing your browser's zoom level can help minimize the space the Toolbox occupies until you manually close it.

This workaround is especially useful for users with portrait-oriented monitors who need to update multiple communication sites daily without losing too much screen real estate.

Enter Edit Mode

Navigate to your modern SharePoint page and click the 'Edit' button in the top right corner.

Reduce Browser Zoom

When the Toolbox pane automatically opens, use your browser settings or press 'Ctrl' and the Minus (-) key to reduce the zoom level to 67% or 80%.

Manually Close the Pane

Click the 'X' or the Toolbox toggle icon to close the pane manually and restore your full working view.

Solution 2

Submit a Feature Request via Microsoft 365 Support

If the default behavior severely impacts your daily workflow, escalating the issue to Microsoft Support can help bring attention to the need for a dedicated toggle.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless and Distraction-Free Document Editing

While SharePoint and Microsoft 365 handle intranet pages, managing your daily documents offline doesn't have to be frustrating. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, offering an intuitive interface that lets you focus entirely on your work without unexpected UI pop-ups.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package for your operating system.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use custom scripts or CSS to hide the SharePoint Toolbox pane permanently?

Microsoft strongly discourages using custom CSS or DOM manipulation to hide standard modern UI elements, as routine SharePoint updates can break these scripts and cause unexpected page instability.

Does the Toolbox pane open on all screen sizes?

Yes, the pane's default behavior is to trigger automatically when a modern page enters Edit mode, regardless of screen size. However, its impact is much more disruptive on smaller laptops or portrait-oriented monitors.

Is there a browser extension to block the Toolbox pane?

The Toolbox pane is an integrated part of SharePoint's web application interface, not a standard web pop-up. Typical ad-blockers or pop-up blockers will not prevent it from appearing without potentially breaking the page editing functionality.

Document & File Issues