Navigator thumbnail panel in QGIS

Question

Using QGIS, is there a way to add a navigation panel that shows a tiny coarse-resolution (zoomed out) version of the map, to illustrate which part of the continent that the main view-window is zoomed into? Like the inset or "locator" maps that you would find accompanying any scientific figure, providing an overview of the spatial context surrounding the more detailed map. (E.g. containing a point or rectangle that visually communicates the current extent of the primary map window.) So that you can tell "where you are" without needing to toggle the zoom level of the main window? (And ideally able to be used as a tool to pan more quickly/accurately across large expanses, like the "navigator" pane in most photo image editing software.)

J.R · Answer

You are probably looking for the "Overview Panel"
From the QGIS doc :

11.2.4. Overview Panel
The Overview panel (Ctrl+8) displays a map with a full extent view of some of the layers. The Overview map is filled
with layers using the Show in Overview option from the Layer menu or
in the layer contextual menu. Within the view, a red rectangle shows
the current map canvas extent, helping you quickly to determine which
area of the whole map you are currently viewing. If you click-and-drag
the red rectangle in the overview frame, the main map view extent will
update accordingly.
Note that labels are not rendered to the map overview even if the
layers used in the map overview have been set up for labeling.

FPG · Answer

This needs two steps

Add the 'overview' panel (View - Panels - Overview)
Right-click on the layer that you want to have as overview and select: Show in Overview

You can remove the layer from the overview panel the same way
Once you zoom in you will see a red box showing the view extent of the map window.
Hope it works

Navigator thumbnail panel in QGIS

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