Getting Started with Notability

Welcome to Notability: powerful, yet wonderfully simple note-taking and PDF annotation. 

Get started with Notability here! This guide will walk you through navigating the app, using the tools, and our core features.

The Library

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The Library houses your notes, subjects, and dividers. It’s where you access and organize your notes. 

Here, you can create new notes, search notes, access the Gallery, and customize the app settings.

Create a New Note

Tap new note Button.png to create a new note. 

new note experience.jpeg

Change the background by selecting Rule, Grid, or Dot at the bottom of a new note.

Select Import to import a new file as a note. 

Select Scan to scan a document, which will be saved as a PDF background in the note. 

The Toolbox

Our Moveable Toolbox is fully customizable to suit your specific needs. The style tray gives you one tap access to your favorite tools and every tool has its own customizable presets. 

All tools including Tape, Ruler and Laser Pointer, are grouped in the Toolbox. Don't see a tool? Swipe left to reveal more. 

toolbox - Horizontal.png

  • pen.pngTap Pen and start writing with your finger or stylus. Tap Pen again to adjust color, line weight, and style. 
  • gray pencil.pngPencil has pressure sensitivity and texture for sketching and shading.
  • highlightergray.pngHighlighter is a translucent ink that can emphasize the most important parts of a note.
  • eraser.pngEraser to remove anything you write or draw. Partial Eraser allows you to remove precise details and Whole Eraser erases the entire item. 
  • text tool.pngSelect Text and tap anywhere in the note to start typing. Create text boxes, which can be moved anywhere on the page.
  • select tool.png Draw selections around ink/sketches to edit; convert handwriting to text. 
  • media icon.pngTap to take photos, scan documents, and add images to your note. Include GIFs and stickers. Insert sticky notes for quick reminders.
  •  hand icon.png Use to scroll through your note and access hyperlinks outside of Notability. If another tool is selected, use two fingers to scroll up or down.
  • mic icon.pngRecord lectures and meetings with Audio Recording; Note Replay syncs recordings with ink automatically. 
  • tape.pngUse Tape to cover up key information in your note and quiz yourself. 
  • ruler.pngUse Ruler to create straight edges or measure precise angles. 
  • laser pointer gray.pngUse Laser Pointer to direct your audience’s attention to specific parts of the page during presentations. 

Inside a Note: Undo/Redo, Options Menu, and Page Manager

Tap Undo/Redo undo redo.png to undo or redo your last action. Enable Undo/Redo gestures in your app’s settings. Tapthreedotsnoteview.pngto export notes, modify your template settings, and select how you view your note.page manager icon.pngUse Page Manager to quickly navigate and manage pages in your note. 

Multi-note.png

Multi-Note and Note Switcher: Multi-Note lets you open and work on two notes at the same time in either horizontal or vertical view. Note Switcher allows you to quickly switch between notes.