Perhaps one of the most useful features invented by the developers of the most popular browser is the express panel. “Opera” of the twentieth version, unlike its predecessors, received much more options for customizing this window, and surpassed even its main competitor - Google Chrome.
What is an express panel?
The Express Dashboard is a separate page in Opera that allows you to quickly access your favorite websites. When you open a blank tab, you immediately see it - nine cells, each of which is a link and leads to a particular web page.
Where to look for settings?
Now that you know where the express panel in Opera is located, you can talk about the settings. To go to the options and specify the parameters that suit you, you need to click on the Opera icon in the upper left corner and select "Settings" in the menu that appears (you can also use the hotkey combination Alt + P).
At the very bottom of the window you can see the inscription "Show advanced settings." Check the box next to it. After that, the screen will display new items and, in particular, the "Home Page".
Next we will find out how you can change the express panel. "Opera" allows you to adjust the appearance of the start page in exact accordance with the user's requests.
Thumbnail Sizes
Inside each cell on the express panel there is an image of the page to which it leads. By checking the box next to “Use large thumbnails” or removing it, you can increase or decrease the size of these images, depending on your desire. If you plan to bookmark a large number of sites, of course, it is more convenient to use small thumbnails: this way you can place a lot more links on the express panel without scrolling.
Number of columns
Another interesting option that will give you the opportunity to change the express panel. “Opera” allows you to use from two to nine columns to place your bookmarks. However, these settings work correctly only when using small thumbnails.
Theme and Screensaver
Now we’ll talk about how to make the Opera express browser’s panel beautiful and change its appearance. To do this, you need to open the start page, and then right-click on an empty space. In the context menu that appears, you will see the item "Change theme".
Next, you can choose one of the ready-made themes or create your own. Several themes are available immediately, without downloading. These layouts are located in the Default Themes section.
Where can I find new themes for Opera?
However, let's face it: standard topics look boring and uninteresting. You can find something new and interesting by clicking on the button “Get new themes”. The browser will redirect you to a site where you can add new themes. You can choose one of four categories: “Recommended”, “Best”, “Popular” and “New”.
To add a theme, click on the image you like, and then click on the green “Add to Opera” button.
Immediately after this, the design of the initial page of your browser will change.
You can always go back to previous topics. To do this, on the page “Change the theme of design”, which we already wrote about above, you need to go to the section “My themes” and select what you need.
How to create your own theme for express panel?
In order to do this, a separate item is provided in the menu. First of all, the system will prompt you to come up with a name for the new style. Next, you can select the image that you want to use from files stored on your computer.
The next step is to fit the picture to the bottom or top edge. You can also center the image.
Among other things, the menu for creating custom themes allows you to choose the text color for express panel elements - white or black.
Finally, you just have to add a shadow for the text or remove it, after which the finished design style can be saved and used.
How to add a new item?
Now let's talk about how to add new cells with links to web pages on the express panel. "Opera" in this regard has virtually no restrictions - the start page can stretch over many lines.
Below, under existing links, you can see an empty cell with a plus sign. When you click on it, a new window will appear in front of you to add a link. You will be offered several options. And by clicking on the "Details" button at the bottom of the screen, you will be taken to the page of additions that is already familiar to you (it was from there that you downloaded new design themes). There you can see the rating of the best sites and services that you can add to your bookmarks so that you can subsequently go to them with just one click of the mouse.
If you know the address of the site that you need, then you can simply enter the address of the page you are interested in in a special line - the link will immediately be added to the express panel. Opera also lets you modify existing items.
How to edit express panel cells?
In fact, you are asked to change only two parameters for existing elements: a name and a link.
The name is the name that you see under the thumbnail of the site. This does not have to be the official name of the resource - you can use your own posts. For example, “Cool Films,” “Work,” “For Coursework,” or “Music.”
In addition, you can change the link. For example, to make sure that the cell does not lead to the main page of the site, but to another.
How to delete an item?
If you no longer need any of the existing bookmarks, and you want to delete it, just click on the selected cell with the right mouse button and select the “Delete” item in the context menu that appears.
How to swap cells?
In new versions of the browser, this can be done by simply dragging a certain element with the mouse to the desired place. This option is also very useful, because you can distribute all the links so that the ones you use most often are displayed at the top.
How to save Opera express panel and transfer it to another computer?
To begin, let's figure out how to save the Opera express panel.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to do this using the browser itself - you have to “dig deeper” in the system files. The first thing you need to do is go to your browser profile folder . By default, all the documents we need are saved at the address “C: // Documents and Settings / * your_name * / Application Data / Opera / Opera”.
You can always find the exact address by clicking on the Opera icon in the upper left corner of the browser and selecting "About the program" in the menu that appears. We are interested in the address specified in the paragraph “Paths: Profile”.
Opening this folder, you will see many files. Among them, we are interested in a document called speeddial.ini - it is he who is responsible for the express panel settings.
Now, so that your homepage after deleting the browser or reinstalling the OS looks the same, you need to save this file on a USB flash drive, and then “drop” it into the same folder. Changes will take effect only after restarting the program.
The same method can be used if you are looking for information on how to transfer the Express Opera panel to another computer.
The start page does not appear: what to do?
Finally, consider another common problem: a situation in which instead of the usual bookmarks you see only a blank page. How to restore the express panel of the Opera browser in this case?
- Open the browser menu and go to "Other tools -> Sync". You will be redirected to the Opera Link page.
- Create an account or enter your username and password to log in.
- Now, when logging in, you will always see the options saved for your account and you can access personal information even from another browser.
Now you know about the main features and settings of the Opera express panel. Which browser is most convenient for you to use?