Use a kneeboard in Microsoft Flight Simulator VR: open and place toolbar panels or the MSFS 2024 EFB, show PDFs, and fix missing controls.
In Microsoft Flight Simulator VR, open the Checklist or VFR Map from the in-game toolbar, or use the EFB in MSFS 2024, then position the window as a virtual kneeboard. MSFS 2020 has no traditional all-purpose kneeboard, so displaying custom charts, PDFs or notes requires a compatible add-on or desktop overlay.
Is there a built-in kneeboard in Microsoft Flight Simulator VR?
MSFS 2020 has no traditional kneeboard that accepts arbitrary pages, while MSFS 2024 uses its electronic flight bag and toolbar panels for most of the same tasks.
| What you need | Best option | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft checklist | Built-in Checklist panel | It does not hold personal documents |
| Route, map or airport information | MSFS 2024 EFB or the available map panel | Features vary between simulator versions and aircraft |
| Aircraft-specific controls or procedures | The aircraft's cockpit-mounted tablet or EFB | A modelled tablet cannot usually be dragged like a toolbar window |
| Custom PDFs, charts and notes | A compatible VR kneeboard or desktop-overlay utility | It must support the active VR runtime |
How do I open and position the kneeboard in VR?
The simplest method is to open the required in-sim panel after VR is active and place it low in your field of view.
- Enter VR and centre the cockpit view. Sit in your normal flying position before resetting the view. If the panel appears behind you, too close or outside the cockpit, follow our instructions to reset and adjust your VR pilot position.
- Open the toolbar. Move the mouse towards the top of the VR view or use your assigned toolbar control. The newer interface is covered in our guide to opening the MSFS 2024 toolbar while wearing a headset.
- Select the required panel. Choose Checklist or VFR Map where available. In MSFS 2024, open the EFB from the interface or operate the tablet presented inside the aircraft.
- Move the window. Grab a toolbar panel by its title area and drag it down and to one side. Resize it from an edge or corner if that panel provides resize controls, and pin it if a pin control is offered.
- Operate the panel. A mouse is usually the least troublesome option. Motion controllers also work when their pointer and primary-selection actions are correctly assigned; our cockpit-panel interaction guide explains both methods.
Keep the board below the main instruments rather than directly over the windscreen. Toolbar windows are interface panels, not physical objects strapped to the pilot's leg, so their position and movement will not feel exactly like a real kneeboard.
Can I assign a kneeboard shortcut?
There is no universal kneeboard command shared by every MSFS version, aircraft and add-on. Search the Controls options for the toolbar, EFB or relevant panel command, while third-party kneeboard utilities use their own keyboard or controller bindings.
Avoid assigning the same VR button to view reset, panel selection and the kneeboard. If motion-controller input is not recognised, set up the VR controller bindings first.
How can I display PDFs and charts on a VR kneeboard?
Use a compatible VR overlay or kneeboard utility when the built-in EFB cannot import the document you need. These tools can typically present an image, PDF or captured desktop window inside the headset, although the supported formats and placement controls depend on the utility.
- Choose a head-locked panel when you want the document to remain readable as you turn.
- Choose a cockpit-fixed panel when you want it to stay beside the instrument panel like a mounted tablet.
- Use large text and tightly cropped pages; full-size manuals are difficult to read at normal cockpit scale.
- Keep the ordinary in-sim panel open rather than popping it out to Windows unless the overlay can capture that separate desktop window.
Why is the VR kneeboard missing or impossible to click?
A missing or unresponsive kneeboard is usually caused by an off-screen panel, incorrect input focus or an incompatible external overlay.
- The panel is off-screen: close it, re-centre the VR view and reopen it after entering VR.
- The pointer appears but cannot select anything: test with the mouse first. If that works, the motion controller's primary-selection or pointer binding needs attention.
- The tablet will not move: a cockpit-mounted 3D EFB is part of the aircraft model. Adjust your seat position or use its own controls instead of trying to drag its bezel.
- The panel appears only on the monitor: it has probably been popped out as a Windows window. Return to the in-sim version or capture it through a compatible VR overlay.
- An external board is black or absent: confirm that it supports the active OpenXR runtime. Competing API layers and overlays can also interfere, so disable them one at a time and restart the VR session.