Picture it like this: you want to take screenshots of the entire web page, the subsections at the bottom, and all. Normally, you can just capture what’s in the four corners of your screen, leaving elements that you have to scroll down to find. Do not give up. It may seem impossible to capture everything in the frame, but we’re about to show you how it really is maybe be done.
The process may not be as simple as you might expect, but follow any of these four methods and I guarantee you’ll have perfect full-screen shots.
First of all, is it the image you need or will the PDF do? If the PDF is suitable, then you can:
- To go File > Print… (if the menu bar is hidden on Windows, press F11or alternatively you can right click on the web page and select Print…)
- Change Destination arrive Save as PDF.
- Click Save to download the website.
Note that this method may distort the page format to match what you see on screen on the PDF page.
Print PDF in Google Chrome Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
But what if you want a JPG or PNG file?
Well, this is where things get more complicated. You have two choices: (1) the harder, bolder way, or (2) one of my favorite free, easy-to-use tools.
There’s a built-in way to take a full-screen screenshot in Google Chrome, but you’ll quickly start to see that the struggle is very real.
Step 1: Find Developer Tools
The feature is hidden in Google Chrome’s Developer Tools, a settings center that gives you granular access to most if not all of a website’s elements. But before you find this feature, you need to find the actual Developer Tools first.
Do you see the three vertical dots to the right of the address bar? Click on them, then click on More tools And after that Development tools.
Open Developer Tools in Google Chrome Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Step 2: Don’t panic and click Run Command
OK, if you’ve never seen what’s next, it sounds like you’ve gotten lost in the Matrix. Don’t panic.
Google Chrome Developer Tools or Matrix? Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Take a look at the menu bar on the Developer Tools screen. You should see a new set of three vertical dots. Click on them and then click Run command.
Access the Run command Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Step 3: Select Take Full Size Screenshot
Enter Run the box that appears, type “Screenshots” to present a range of related options. You will want to find Full size capture Screenshots result.
Find the screenshot command Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Click Screenshots and this will take a screenshot of the web page you are on (it won’t show all the Matrix content) and it will automatically save (if not, remember to save it if prompted).
Also: How to take a screenshot on a Chromebook
Well, I told you it’s hard work and this is really inconvenient if you’re going to take a lot of screenshots. However, it’s a good practice if you don’t have the tools available and can’t install the extension.
Fortunately, there are some simpler ways.
A simpler option is to install a browser extension that allows you to take screenshots.
I recommend you check it out Go Full Page.
It’s reliable, secure and free. The downside to this is that it doesn’t give you many options to customize the capture or output, but if you just want to take a few screenshots this is a good option.
Google Chrome GoFullPage Browser Extension Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
If you need to take a lot of screenshots, especially if they are of different content types, or you have more complex requirements, such as needing to capture the cursor or you want to take screenshots on a timer, then I recommend investing in a professional tool.
My weapon of choice in this battle, and has been for many years now, TechSmith’s Amazing SnagIt.
If you want the best chance of capturing a web page accurately, SnagIt is the tool you need. I have worked with all the different methods and by far this is the best tool for the job as it gives you loads of options and a lot of flexibility with both capture and output workflow.
I’ve been a SnagIt user for over a decade, using it to take thousands of screenshots and it has never let me down.
I highly recommend this to anyone who needs to take a lot of screenshots.
