# Overview

The Google APIs Explorer is a tool available on most REST API method
documentation pages that lets you try Google API methods without writing code.
The APIs Explorer acts on real data, so use caution when trying methods that
create, modify, or delete data.

## Use the directory

For a list of Google APIs you can explore, browse the
[Google APIs Explorer Directory](https://developers.google.com/apis-explorer). This list contains links to
the API reference documentation for supported APIs. Follow the steps below to
explore the API:

1. Open the [Google APIs Explorer Directory](https://developers.google.com/apis-explorer).
2. In the search box at the top, enter the name of the API you want to explore.
3. Click the name of the API. This opens the API reference documentation.
4. At the left, click the method you want to use in the navigation.
5. At the right, find the panel labeled "Try this method." See below for details
   about how to use the APIs Explorer side panel and how to expand it into the
   full-screen APIs Explorer panel.

   > [!NOTE]
   > **Note:** If you don't see the APIs Explorer side panel, the method might not be compatible with APIs Explorer.

## Use the side panel

![APIs Explorer side panel for the Google Books API](https://developers.google.com/static/explorer-help/guides/images/condensed.png) **Figure 1**: APIs Explorer side panel for the Google Books API.

![](https://developers.google.com/static/explorer-help/guides/images/condensed.png)

By default, the APIs Explorer appears on the right-hand side of the screen in
API reference documentation for supported methods.

You can customize and interact with the following sections in the APIs Explorer
side panel:

- **Request parameters**, if required by the method.
- **Request body**, if required by the method.
- **Credentials**, to test the method with various credential types and scopes.
- **Execute** button, to run the method using the parameters and settings you've specified.
- **Result**, displayed only after executing the method.

## Use the full-screen panel

![APIs Explorer full-screen panel for the Google Books API](https://developers.google.com/static/explorer-help/guides/images/expanded.png) **Figure 2**: APIs Explorer full-screen panel for the Google Books API.

![](https://developers.google.com/static/explorer-help/guides/images/expanded.png)

In the collapsed APIs Explorer side panel, you can click Full screen
to expand the APIs Explorer. The
full-screen panel displays an extra pane containing code samples,
`application/json` responses, and Raw HTTP responses.

## Authentication

The APIs Explorer uses its own credentials to make a request. You can't use
custom credentials with the APIs Explorer.

## Data formats

The APIs Explorer only supports JSON for responses and request payloads. Even if
your API supports other data formats, these formats don't work in the
APIs Explorer.

## Next steps

- Learn how to [display the APIs Explorer and execute a method](https://developers.google.com/explorer-help/execute-method).
- Learn how to [test a method using different credentials and scopes](https://developers.google.com/explorer-help/authorization-and-authentication).
- Learn how to [execute APIs Explorer sample code locally](https://developers.google.com/explorer-help/code-samples).