diff --git a/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/client/web/client/application/ui/AbstractViewer.java b/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/client/web/client/application/ui/AbstractViewer.java
index 0b4305ffbb54f89fbbd67a4f114682e01d816e8d..729702747afe479844ec064b8ecce143d357ba43 100644
--- a/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/client/web/client/application/ui/AbstractViewer.java
+++ b/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/client/web/client/application/ui/AbstractViewer.java
@@ -212,7 +212,9 @@ public abstract class AbstractViewer<D extends IEntityInformationHolder> extends
 
     protected final static BorderLayoutData createLeftBorderLayoutData()
     {
-        return BorderLayoutDataFactory.create(LayoutRegion.WEST, 300);
+        BorderLayoutData layoutData = BorderLayoutDataFactory.create(LayoutRegion.WEST, 300);
+        layoutData.setCollapsible(true);
+        return layoutData;
     }
 
     protected final static BorderLayoutData createRightBorderLayoutData()