'%3e%3cstop%20offset='0'%20stop-color='%23391ef0'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%235dabff'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='icon-256-logo-ai-v1-g1'%20x1='0'%20y1='0.5'%20x2='1'%20y2='0.5'%20gradientTransform='matrix(-1.1603561542763454%20-2.029595748722483e-14%201.6849538795808504e-15%20-1.0775765482488853%201.1221874503325953%200.5387882741244623)'%3e%3cstop%20offset='0'%20stop-color='%2337b2fc'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%232052fc'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='icon-256-logo-ai-v2-g2'%20x1='0'%20y1='0.5'%20x2='1'%20y2='0.5'%20gradientTransform='matrix(-0.819979740677445%20-0.8603650957330012%200.7293719576520754%20-0.7384159647925725%200.45709711785879775%201.2338690791584153)'%3e%3cstop%20offset='0'%20stop-color='%23ffaa8f'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23ee00ff'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3cg%20transform='translate(0.19%203.56)'%3e%3cpath%20d='M9.6%200L14.8%200C15.09%200%2015.32%200.23%2015.32%200.52C15.32%200.59%2015.3%200.67%2015.27%200.74L8.2%2015.33C7.73%2016.28%206.77%2016.88%205.72%2016.88L0.52%2016.88C0.23%2016.88%200%2016.65%200%2016.36C0%2016.29%200.02%2016.21%200.05%2016.14L7.12%201.55C7.59%200.6%208.55%200%209.6%200Z'%20fill='url(%23icon-256-logo-ai-v0-g0)'%20fill-rule='nonzero'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%20transform='translate(8.28%203.56)'%3e%3cpath%20d='M6.71%200C7%200%207.23%200.23%207.23%200.52C7.23%200.59%207.21%200.67%207.18%200.74L3.67%207.97L0%200.45C0.44%200.16%200.97%200%201.51%200L6.71%200Z'%20fill='url(%23icon-256-logo-ai-v1-g1)'%20fill-rule='nonzero'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%20transform='translate(11.95%2011.53)'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8.5%201.55L11.71%208.17C11.83%208.42%2011.73%208.73%2011.47%208.86C11.4%208.89%2011.32%208.91%2011.24%208.91L6.05%208.91C4.99%208.91%204.03%208.31%203.57%207.36L0%200L6.02%200C7.08%200%208.04%200.6%208.5%201.55Z'%20fill='url(%23icon-256-logo-ai-v2-g2)'%20fill-rule='evenodd'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
WPS Navigation Bar is the shortcut area on the left side of the WPS Office home page on Windows; it includes 2 core tasks, with 2 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.
At a Glance
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core tasks | 2 | Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index |
| Available without membership | 2 | Matches the number of Free rows in the index |
| Membership-related items | 0 | Matches the number of membership-related rows in the index |
About This Feature
Overview
The Navigation Bar is a built-in shortcut area on the left side of the WPS Office home page on Windows. It helps you open common app entries in one place and switch to different document types more quickly.
Its main capabilities include:
- Viewing shortcut entries such as Home, WPS AI, Writer, Presentation, Spreadsheet, PDF, and AI Slides.
- Hiding or restoring entry names so that only icons remain visible and the left panel takes less space.
This feature is useful when you want to create common files quickly, move between modules from the home page, or keep the interface more compact.
System Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | A Windows device that can run the WPS Office desktop app |
| App version | It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office |
| Network | The local app can display the Navigation Bar directly; some online service entries require an internet connection |
| Other | Open the WPS Office home page to view the left-side Navigation Bar |
Download & Installation
Install WPS Office for Windows before using the Navigation Bar.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official download | WPS Office Free Download |
| Check after installation | Open WPS Office and confirm that the Navigation Bar is visible on the left side of the home page |
Source: WPS download center
Compare with Alternatives
| Dimension | WPS | Microsoft | Notion | Adobe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capability Summary | The Navigation Bar appears on the left side of the WPS home page and provides shortcut entries for Home, WPS AI, Writer, Presentation, Spreadsheet, PDF, and AI Slides, with an option to hide names. | Word's Navigation pane is mainly used inside a document to move by headings, pages, and search results, and it can also help reorganize document structure. | Google Docs highlights online document creation, collaboration, document tabs, and smart building blocks, but its product page does not describe a desktop home-page launcher equivalent to the WPS Navigation Bar. | Notion Docs uses a sidebar to organize workspace content and help users find docs and projects, with a focus on workspace organization rather than office-suite home-page launch entries. | Acrobat focuses on page navigation and workspace panels for PDF viewing and tool access, rather than a multi-app launcher on an office home page. |
| WPS Advantages | Advantage: WPS places multiple document and service entries in one home-page area. Distinct: It can hide names and keep only icons for a more compact layout. | Compared with WPS: Microsoft focuses more on in-document navigation and structure changes than on a home-page app launcher. | Compared with WPS: Google focuses more on browser-based collaboration and content blocks than on local desktop home-page switching. | Compared with WPS: Notion's sidebar is stronger for knowledge and project organization, but it is not a one-click launcher for office document types. | Compared with WPS: Adobe focuses on PDF reading, page movement, and tool panels rather than a unified home-page entry area for multiple document types. |
| Official Source | — | Use the Navigation pane in Word | Google Docs product page | Notion Docs | Navigate through pages in Acrobat |
Overall Conclusion
WPS Navigation Bar is more suitable when you want a direct way to open different document types and service entries from one desktop home-page area. If your priority is document structure browsing, browser-based collaboration, workspace organization, or PDF page navigation, the other products focus on those scenarios more directly.
Use Cases
| No. | Scenario | Suitable for | Main issue | How it helps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Create common files quickly | Everyday office users | It takes extra time to find the right entry after opening the app | Use the Navigation Bar to open Writer, Presentation, Spreadsheet, or PDF directly |
| 2 | Switch between modules | Users working with multiple file types | Moving between modules can take extra steps | Use the left-side Navigation Bar as a unified switch area |
| 3 | Keep the home page compact | Users who prefer a tighter layout | Text labels take up space on the left side | Hide names so only icons remain visible |
| 4 | Confirm entries by hovering | New users | Icons may not be clear at first glance | Hover over an icon to view its name |
| 5 | Return to the home page | Users who need to go back to the start page | It may be less direct to return after switching modules | Use the Home entry in the Navigation Bar |
Membership & Benefits
Free vs WPS Premium
| Capability | Free | WPS Premium |
|---|---|---|
| View and use the Navigation Bar | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Hide names | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| More advanced office and PDF tools | Some capabilities are limited | More advanced capabilities and a broader toolset are available |
| Cloud storage | 1 GB | 20 GB, depending on plan |
Source: WPS Office pricing page
Recommendations
| Scenario | Recommended plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You mainly use the home-page navigation area and create regular documents | Free | Navigation Bar actions are available directly |
| You also need more advanced PDF, conversion, or extended office tools | WPS Premium | Better suited when you need broader advanced tools and more cloud storage |
How to Subscribe
- Membership page: Subscribe to WPS Premium
Source: WPS Office pricing page