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Notability is a versatile note-taking app designed for seamless digital organization and creativity. It combines handwriting, typing, and multimedia integration, allowing users to create, annotate, and share notes effortlessly. Ideal for educators, professionals, and students. Notability supports features like PDF markup, audio recording, and cloud syncing to enhance productivity and collaboration.
The Library
The Library
The Library - All Notes is where you access and organize your notes, subjects, and dividers.
Adding text:
Typing: Using the on-screen keyboard
Writing: Using the Apple Pencil for handwritten notes
Adding Images and Other Media
Adding Images and Other Media
🖼️ To Add Images:
🖼️ To Add Images:
Tap the "+" (plus) icon in the top toolbar.
Select "Photo Library" to insert an image from your device.
Choose the image you want to insert.
Resize or move the image as needed using pinch or drag gestures.
📷 To Take a Photo:
📷 To Take a Photo:
Tap the "+" (plus) icon in the toolbar.
Select "Take Photo".
Capture your photo and tap "Use Photo" to insert it into the note.
🎥 To Insert Media (like a web clip or document):
🎥 To Insert Media (like a web clip or document):
Tap the "+" (plus) icon.
Choose "Web Clip" to insert a webpage preview.
Enter the URL and tap "Go", then tap "Add to Note".
Or choose "Document" to import a PDF or file from Files, Dropbox, etc.
🎙️ To Record Audio:
🎙️ To Record Audio:
Tap the microphone icon in the toolbar to start recording.
Tap again to pause or stop the recording.
The audio syncs with your note-taking as you go.
The Toolbox
The Toolbox
The Toolbox is customizable and the style tray gives you one tap access to your favorite tools and each tool has its own customizable presets.
Tools including Zoom, Tape, Ruler and Laser Pointer are grouped in the Toolbox. Swipe left to reveal more tools.
Tap Pen and start writing with your finger or apple pencil. Tap Pen again to adjust color, line weight, and style.
Pencil has pressure sensitivity and texture for sketching and shading.
Highlighter is a translucent ink that can emphasize the most important parts of a note.
Partial Eraser allows you to remove precise details; Whole Eraser erases the entire item.
Tap anywhere in the note to start typing. Make text boxes and move them wherever you'd like on the page.
Draw selections around ink/sketches to edit; convert handwriting to text.
Tap to take photos, scan documents, and add images to your note. Include GIFs and stickers. Insert sticky notes for quick reminders.
Record lectures and meetings with Audio Recording; Note Replay syncs recordings with ink automatically.
Use Zoom View for detailed work.
Use Tape to cover up key information in your note and quiz yourself.
Use Ruler to create straight edges or measure precise angles.
Use Laser Pointer to direct your audience’s attention to specific parts of the page during presentations.
Global Note Search
Global Note Search
Search within a Note
Search within a Note
Search for note content quickly by using the Content Manager.
From the upper right corner of a note, tap or click on Content Manager icon.
Enter/Type in a search term. Results will appear underneath.
Search for specific notes within a subject
Tap or click on the subject from from which you would like to search notes.
Tap or click on the search a bar above the notes icon in the library.
Type in a search term (Results will appear).
Tap or click on the filter option located below the search term. Filtered results will appear on the right.
Subjects and Dividers
Subjects and Dividers
The Sidebar, located on the left is where you add subjects and dividers to organize your notes.
Subjects - group notes together
Dividers - group subjects together.
Creating Subjects and Dividers
Creating Subjects and Dividers
From the sidebar, select the + next to Subjects
Select Add Subject or Add Divider
A new subject or divider will appear and you can name it.
Multiple subjects can be created with the same name.
Once a divider has been created, there is not limit to the number of items living inside of it.
Editing Subjects and Dividers
Editing Subjects and Dividers
Press and hold on an item to Rename it and/ or on a Subject to Edit.
Edit options: Customize subject color, Lock Subject, and Delete Subject.
Press Save at the top right corner of the menu.
Importing Content - PDFs and Images
Importing Content - PDFs and Images
Tap the import button (a box with an arrow pointing down) to import PDF or other documents.
Choose the source: files app, Google Drive, etc...
Select your PDF file and tap "Create New Note or Add to Existing Note".
✍️ To Annotate the PDF:
✍️ To Annotate the PDF:
Use the Toolbar at the top for annotation tools:
✏️ Pen Tool – for freehand writing or drawing.
🖊️ Highlighter Tool – for highlighting text or areas.
⬛ Text Tool – tap to insert a text box for typing notes.
💬 Sticky Notes – tap and type for pop-up notes.
🔲 Shape Tool – tap and draw perfect lines, circles, etc.
🛠️ Editing and Organizing:
🛠️ Editing and Organizing:
Lasso Tool – circle annotations to move, resize, or copy them.
Eraser Tool – remove individual annotations without affecting the PDF.
Add Pages using the "+" (plus) icon at the page navigator.
Reorder or delete pages using the Thumbnail View (tap four-square icon).
To Save or Share the Annotated PDF:
To Save or Share the Annotated PDF:
Tap the Share icon (box with arrow).
Choose PDF format to keep annotations.
Share via email, cloud services, or open in another app.
Multi-Note and Note Switcher
Multi-Note and Note Switcher
Multi-Note lets you open and work on two notes simultaneously in horizontal or vertical view. With the Note Switcher, you can switch between notes quickly.
Switching Notes and Orientation (iPad only)
Switching Notes and Orientation (iPad only)
Open a note.
Swipe from the left edge of the screen to open the Note Switcher panel.
Press and hold on a note from the list to open it, either on right or bottom.
When using educational technology tools, be FERPA aware. To learn more, visit the Registrar's FERPA Guidelines site.
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