Draw or write in Notes on iPad

Use the Notes app to draw a sketch or jot a handwritten note with Apple Pencil (on supported models) or your finger. You can choose from a variety of Markup tools and colors and draw straight lines with the ruler.

A note showing a drawing with handwritten text.

Draw or write in a note

Start drawing or writing in the note with Apple Pencil. Or to draw or write with your finger, tap .
Do any of the following:
- Change color or tools: Use the Markup tools.
- Adjust the handwriting area: Drag the resize handle (on the left) up or down.
- Transcribe your handwriting to typed text as you write with Apple Pencil: Tap the Handwriting tool (to the left of the pen), then start writing.
  Note: Scribble is available in several languages. See the iOS and iPadOS Feature Availability website. To learn more about writing notes with Apple Pencil, see Enter text with Scribble on iPad.

Tip: You can search handwritten text (in supported languages) in Notes. If the note doesn’t have a title, the first line of handwritten text becomes the suggested title. To edit the title, scroll to the top of the note, then tap Edit.

Select and edit drawings and handwriting

With Smart Selection, you can select handwritten text using the same gestures you use for typed text. You can move, copy, or delete the selection within the note. You can even paste it as typed text in another note or app.

Note: Smart Selection and handwriting transcription work if the system language of your iPad is set to English, Simplified Chinese, or Traditional Chinese in Settings > General > Language & Region > iPad Language.

In the Markup toolbar, tap the Lasso tool (between the eraser and ruler).
Select drawings and handwriting with Apple Pencil or your finger using any of the following methods:
- Touch and hold, then drag to expand the selection.
- Double-tap to select a word.
- Triple-tap to select a sentence.
Adjust the selection by dragging the handles if necessary.
Tap the selection, then choose Cut, Copy, Delete, Duplicate, Copy as Text, or Insert Space Above.
If you choose Copy as Text, you can paste the transcribed text in another note or another app.

Drag and drop images from other apps

You can drag and drop images from other apps to a note to combine them with handwritten and drawn content. After you add an image to the drawing area, you can reposition and resize the image.

Use handwritten addresses, phone numbers, dates, and more

A yellow underline appears below handwritten text that’s recognized as a street or email address, phone number, date, or other data. Tap the underlined text to take action on it. For example, you can see a street address in Maps, compose an email, call a phone number, or add a calendar event.

Note: Data detection works if the system language of your iPad is set to English, Simplified Chinese, or Traditional Chinese in Settings > General > Language & Region.

Show lines or grids in notes

In an existing note: Tap (at the top-right corner), tap Lines & Grids, then choose a style.
Choose the default style for all new notes: Go to Settings > Notes > Lines & Grids.

Helpful?

iPad User Guide