From the Chrome DevTool docs on [JS Debugging Reference > Watch the values of custom JavaScript Expressions][1], you can do it in 1 of 3 ways:

1. Highlight text, right click, and selct **`Add selected text to watches`**

   [![Add selected text to watches][2]][2]

  ***Note**: this used to be "Add to watch"

2. Highlight text and press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>A</kbd>
3. Add expression on the watch panel directly in the top right corner of the sources tab

   [![Add Watch Expression][3]][3]


  [1]: https://developers.google.com/web/tools/chrome-devtools/javascript/reference#watch
  [2]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/EwQCa.png
  [3]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/T4PnR.png


I can't seem to find a way to add a watch expression for the selected JavaScript text in Chrome developer tools, the same way I would in Firebug with Ctrl+W.  Is there really no way to do this in Chrome?  I can't even right-click the selection as it unselects as soon as I do it, and there is no "Add watch" context menu item.  Do I really have to type in every watch I want to add while debugging JS?

How to 'add watch' in Chrome developer tools?

Answer