WPS Task Pane on Windows: Introduction

Last updated:July 15, 2026

WPS Task Pane is a right-side utility panel in WPS Writer for quick access to styles, properties, selection, and help tools; it includes 3 core tasks, with 3 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.

At a Glance

MetricValueNotes
Core tasks3Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index
Available without membership3Matches the number of Free rows in the index
Membership-related items0Matches the number of membership-related rows in the index

About This Feature

Overview

Task Pane is a built-in side panel in WPS Writer for Windows that helps you access common document tools while editing. After you show the Task Pane, you can use the right-side area to access panels such as Styles and Formatting, Selection Pane, Properties, Beautification Assistant, and Help Center, and you can adjust visible items through Manage Task Pane.

Core tasks include:

  • Show or hide the Task Pane for quick control of the right-side panel.
  • Turn on the Task Pane through Options to save a display preference.
  • Switch between different function panels inside the Task Pane.

This feature is useful for long-document editing, layout review, object selection, and quick access to frequently used side tools.

System Requirements

ItemRequirement
Operating systemA Windows device that can run WPS Office normally
App versionIt is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office
NetworkShowing, hiding, and switching the local Task Pane does not require a network connection; online resources or help content may require internet access
OtherYou need to be able to open the WPS Writer document interface normally

Download & Installation

ItemDetails
Official downloadWPS Office Free Download
Check after installationLaunch WPS Writer, open the View tab, and confirm that the Task Pane entry is available

Source: WPS download page

Compare with Alternatives

DimensionWPSMicrosoftGoogleNotionAdobe
Capability SummaryIn WPS Writer, the Task Pane appears on the right side and can be shown or hidden. It can switch among panels such as Styles and Formatting, Selection Pane, Properties, Beautification Assistant, and Help Center.Word provides a Navigation Pane for browsing by headings, pages, and search results, and it can help reorganize a document by dragging headings.Google Docs provides document tabs, smart chips, building blocks, comments, and task-oriented collaboration features, but these are not presented as one fixed multi-tool task pane.Notion uses database properties, templates, and page settings to organize information, which supports structured content management rather than a fixed document-editing task pane.Acrobat provides side panels and tool views for page organization, comments, and PDF editing workflows, with a focus on PDF tasks.
WPS AdvantagesAdvantage: WPS brings several common side tools together in one document-editing area with a direct show or hide entry, which is convenient for switching among everyday helper panels.Compared with WPS: Word's Navigation Pane focuses more on heading, page, and search navigation. The official page emphasizes document structure browsing rather than a broader set of side utility panels.Compared with WPS: Google Docs emphasizes cloud collaboration, smart canvas, and reusable building blocks. Related tools are distributed across the document experience instead of a single right-side utility collection.Compared with WPS: Notion is centered on databases, properties, and reusable page structures. Its strengths are in workspace organization rather than immediate side-panel switching during word processing.Compared with WPS: Acrobat side tools are oriented toward PDF editing and page management. For writer-focused tasks such as styles, properties, and object selection in a text document, WPS is closer to the writing interface.
Official SourceUse the Navigation pane in WordGoogle Docs product pageDatabase propertiesWorkspace basics

Overall Conclusion
If you want a single right-side area in WPS Writer for several helper tools, Task Pane fits everyday document editing well. Other products also provide side navigation or tool panels, but their focus is different, such as document navigation, cloud collaboration, workspace organization, or PDF processing.

Use Cases

No.ScenarioSuitable ForMain NeedHow Task Pane Helps
1Long document layout reviewDocument editorsThey need to check styles and properties frequentlyOpen Task Pane to access style-related and property-related panels in one place
2Object management in a pageUsers creating reports or mixed-content filesIt is inconvenient to locate and switch among many objectsUse Selection Pane to locate and manage objects more quickly
3Centralized access to common toolsEveryday office usersHelper tools are spread across different entriesSwitch directly among needed functions in the right-side Task Pane
4Quick access to help contentNew usersIt takes time to find support-related entriesOpen Help Center from the Task Pane area
5Personalized side-tool layoutAdvanced usersThey want to keep only commonly used panels visibleUse Manage Task Pane to adjust displayed functions

Membership & Benefits

Free vs WPS Premium

CapabilityFree UsersWPS Premium
Show or hide Task Pane✅ Available✅ Available
Basic document helper functions in Task Pane✅ Available✅ Available
Additional advanced PDF, template, or AI-related benefitsBasic or limited access as shown on the pricing pageMore advanced benefits based on the subscription plan
Cloud storage1 GB20 GB on some plans

Source: WPS Office pricing page

Recommendations

ScenarioRecommended PlanWhy
Everyday document viewing and basic editingFreeTask Pane itself is available directly and is suitable for routine document work
Users who also need broader advanced office benefitsWPS PremiumSuitable when you also need more PDF, template, cloud storage, or other extended capabilities

How to Subscribe

Source: WPS Office pricing page