Figure panel

Keep a figure or table pinned beside the text while you read, so you no longer flip back and forth to "Figure 3".

Applies to Mendeley and Zotero editions Windows · Mac · iPad Free

Open the figure panel

  1. Open a paper.
  2. Press Figure panel (a picture icon):
    • Mac · iPadat the top left, or press ⌘⇧F.
    • Windowsin the toolbar, or press Ctrl+Shift+F.
  3. The figure or table nearest to the page you are reading appears beside the text.

Choose a figure

  • Step through the paper's figures and tables with the previous / next buttons.
    • Mac⌥PageUp / ⌥PageDown do the same.
    • WindowsAlt+PageUp / Alt+PageDown do the same.
  • Windows · Mac · iPadPress Choose Figure or Table to pick one from the list.
  • WindowsRight-click a figure in the PDF and choose Show … beside the text.
  • In Reading Mode, press the pin on a figure card to put that figure in the panel.
  • Mac · iPadIn the list of the paper's figures and tables, press the pin (Show beside).

Look closer and jump

  • WindowsDouble-click, or use Ctrl + mouse wheel, to zoom. Drag to move a zoomed figure.
  • WindowsJump to figure or table takes you to the figure's page; Back to where I was reading returns you.

Close the panel with ×.

When the panel does not appear

  • The panel needs room beside the text. On Windows you may see "Not enough room beside the text for the figure panel." Widen the window or hide the library.
  • If the paper has no figures or tables that Rectoly can find, the panel says so.
  • Mac · iPadThe column on the right shows one thing at a time: the figure panel, a research theme or a document beside the paper.

The figure panel is free.

Updated September 20, 2026