Initially, I had planned to make an extensive post about Apple Notes tips for Mac and iPhone/iPad. However, I had to change my mind midway as the article would have turned out to be rather long. After wrapping up the 16 hacks for iOS Notes app separately, I think it’s the right to do the same favor to its macOS counterpart. Talking about the tricks, I’ve picked them based on how effective they are.
If you rely on Apple’s note-taking app to record ideas or keep your hectic life in sync with your priority, the following tips can boost your productivity. Plus, they can also help you ideally customize the app as per your workflow. Read on to explore the tricks and use them proficiently to get the best out of the app!
18 Tips and Tricks to Get the Most Out of Apple Notes App for Mac
In the Notes app on your Mac, click a note in the notes list or double-click a note in gallery view, then choose Edit Substitutions Smart Links (a checkmark shows it’s on). Do one of the following: Type a URL, and it becomes a link automatically. Select the text to change to a link, choose Edit Add Link, then type or paste the URL. I hate having to pay to solve my tech-related problems, and will always rather tweak or tamper by hand whenever it's possible, free and fast (for example right-clicking and showing package contents, using a free app, etc). But in the case of Mac OS X / iOS Notes, it's just too risky and complicated for me to do it through terminal, SQL database. Evernote: Organize All Your Notes Into Categorized Notebooks. Available for Windows, Mac.
#1. Use Continuity Camera to Scan Docs or Capture Photos
macOS Mojave has introduced a smart feature called “Continuity Camera.” You can use this well-thought-out feature to quickly add a photo to your note or scan a document using your iPhone on your Mac.
Times when you want your workflow to be smooth, Continuity Camera can come in very handy. One thing worth noting is that it works between macOS Mojave and iOS 12. So, ensure that your devices are fully onboard.
Simply click on the media button and then select Take Photo or Scan Documents. Now, use your device to snap the pic or scan the doc. To find out more about it, head over here.
#2. Pin Notes
Just imagine that there are a number of lists in your note. And whenever you want to access a specific list, you have to drill down the entire collection. Wouldn’t it be great if you could show a frequently used checklist right at the top? This is where pinning comes into the picture!
To pin a note, simply right-click on it and choose Pin Note. Now, it will be displayed at the top along with the pinned icon. If you ever decide to unpin it, all you need to do is right-click on it again and select Unpin Note.
#3. Float Notes
Supposing you have created an extensive agenda about the things you have to do today while working on your Mac. And you have to hop into it time and time again to ensure you are in sync with the plan. That’s when the floating feature can save your day!
To float a note, select it. Then, click on Window menu and choose Float Selected Note.
#4. Import files to the Notes app
The Notes app makes importing contents pretty straightforward. So, when creating an agenda, if you ever wish to import any related stuff, all you need to do is click on File menu in the app and choose Import.
Then, choose the file and click on Import. Finally, click on Import Notes to confirm. It will be added to the Imported Notes section.
#5. Export Notes As PDF
After creating a long note, you want to convert it into PDF to make it more portable. All you have to do is click on File and select Export Note As PDF.
Next, enter the name, add a suitable tag and select the desired location. Hit the Save button, and you are ready to go!
#6. Create A Checklist
You are all set for a long shopping spree and want to craft an easy-to-view checklist. Don’t worry, as you don’t need to look anywhere else for the solution.
Simply put the cursor before the first item in the list and then click on the ☑“Make a checklist icon.” Now, go ahead and enter the name of all the items.
#7. Add Tables
Adding tables to note is as easy as clicking on a button. Literally. If you ever happen to make a complete sheet for the upcoming meetings that are planned soon, just hit the tiny tables button. A table will instantly be added.
Now, right click on the small Add Row/Column icon and then choose whether you want to add a row or column before/after as per your need.
We have crafted a detailed post on it. Do check it out here.
#8. Sort Your Notes
I like to keep my notes organized. And the one little trick that helps me keep them in sync with my workflow is “sorting.” If you also want to put all of your stuff in a better state, this one can definitely make a difference.
Pretty much like its iOS counterpart, the Notes app for macOS allows you to sort your projects based on Date Edited, Created or Title.
To get it done, open the app → click on Notes menu → click on Preferences → click on the Sort notes by drop-down menu and choose the preferred option.
#9. Format Text With Quick Keyboard Shortcuts
Frankly speaking; I’ve saved this tip for the folks who are fond of super handy keyboard shortcuts. Formatting text can be made a tad easier with a keyboard shortcut. Keep the following ones on your radar to boost your productivity and also save time.
shift+cmd+t: Title Style
shift+cmd+b: Body Style shift+cmd+h: Headline Style
Alternately, you can select the text → click on Format and choose the preferred format.
#10. Make the Most of Siri to Create and Edit Your Notes Fast
Do not underestimate Siri! The personal assistant works pretty well in letting you quickly create notes and even edit them with ease. When you don’t want to fiddle with the keyboards, use the quick commands to get your work done.
You can invoke Siri and say something like: “Create a new note.” “Open my shopping note.” “Add sugar to my shopping note.”
#11. Change Default Account
By default, all of your notes are designed to sync with iCloud. However, you can switch your default account to Google, Yahoo or other. Besides, you will also choose to save them locally on your computer.
To do so, open the Notes app → click on Notes menu → Preferences → click on Default account drop-down menu and choose the desired cloud service.
Note: If you want to keep your notes locally, check the box to the left of Enable the On My Mac account.
Want to sync your lists with a different cloud service? No problem. Fire up System Preferences → Internet Accounts → Select the desired service and sign in.
#12. Move a note out of iCloud
So, that was about switching the default account. What if you want to move a specific note from iCloud to Google or other cloud services? It’s just as upfront!
Open the app and then go to the note → right click on it → Move To → Choose the cloud service → finally select the folder to save your file.
#13. Use Dark Mode
Often have to work till late night to create notes for meetings or the presentations? If yes, chances are your eyes might be straining a lot and preventing you from having a better sleep. Click on Apple Logo from the far left corner → Click on System Preferences → Click on General → Click on Dark from the Appearance options.
Follow this hands-on guide to enable system-wide dark mode on your Mac.
#14. Collaborate With Friends
Times when I’m working on a marathon project and want to have an invaluable opinion from my colleagues, I make sure to take advantage of the collaboration feature. It works pretty effectively in this note-taking app.
To use this feature, you have to first invite your friends. And once they have accepted your request, they can make changes seamlessly.
Open the respective note → hit the people button → choose the medium and then share it with your friend/s as usual.
#15. View Attachments from All Of Your Notes
Keeping track of attachments is quite simple. Personally; I make sure to use this feature for one biggest reason–prevent the app from being cluttered.
To check all of your attachments, simply click on the attachments button.
Then, navigate through the specific sections like Photos & Videos, Sketches, Documents, Websites and more.
To preview an attachment, select it and then hit the space bar.
![]() #16. Save files to Notes from Other Apps
You are browsing the web and suddenly find a piece of an article worth remembering. Wouldn’t you want to save it in a secure place? Yeah, you would love to offer it up safe heaven.
What better place to keep all of your goodies safe than the Notes app! Just hit Share button → select Notes from the available option → add a suitable title → choose the preferred folder → click on Save. And there you go!
Note: Share button may not be available in every app.
#17. Lock Your Note
Supposing you have created some personal notes and don’t want anyone to bump into them without your permission. Why not lock them out! It would add an additional layer of safeguard to your personal info.
Once you have secured a project, anyone who wants to have access to it will have to enter the password.
Head over to the note in question and then hit the Lock button → Lock Note → enter the password and click on OK to confirm.
#18. Recover Deleted Notes
You are on the complete cleanup mission. And want to get rid of all the useless lists or folders so that the app no longer seems to be messed up. Unfortunately, you end up deleting some important notes and want to restore them as soon as possible.
Don’t panic! All the eliminated notes are stored in a separate folder called “Recently Deleted.” If you ever find yourself on the wrong side, head over to this folder→ select the file → right click on it → Move To → Then, choose the destination.
That’s pretty much it!
Video: Apple Notes Tips and Tricks
Your Favorites?
So, these are some of my most productive hacks for Apple Notes app for macOS. Which ones were able to win your favor or found a special place in your collection?
Moreover, if you find some of your favorites missing from the lineup, do not forget to let us know about them.
Don’t miss:
The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.
If you are working in a multinational firm, you, no doubt, know the problem of sharing documents and images of new projects with the staff of the other branches of your company. Working with notepad is not feasible as you cannot include pictures with the text, and you also have no control over the formatting. It is the same with word processing documents as well.
If the recipient has an older version of Microsoft Word, they will not be able to open documents created on the latest version. The problem increases when other staff members use computers running on different operating systems such as Windows and Macintosh.
In such a scenario, your best option is to opt for a note-taking application, such as portable document files (PDF), which works fine on both platforms.
What Makes for A Good PDF Note-Taking Application?
A good PDF note-taking application should support both Desktop and Mobile devices (iOS and Android-based operating systems) so that you can also open and edit the files while on the move. However, some other PDF note-takers do well on whatever platform(s) they support (only Desktops, only Windows or only Macs) as the case may be.
The choice to make also depends on what you need. For instance, you may want to have a PDF note-taking software just for your Windows Desktop alone or one that can function on both Mac & Windows operating systems.
In addition to the above, a good PDF note-taking application should have the following qualities:
Quickly Navigate to:About This PDF Annotator Review
In this review, I shall be discussing some of the best PDF note-taking apps. It will help you figure out which is the best PDF annotation app for Android, iPad, Mac, and Windows. You require an annotator to be able to comment or to add text or diagrams to an existing document.
I shall review certain note-taking software as well as document markup software using parameters like their ability to join two PDFs, duplicate PDF files, export, and import PDF files, delete notes, study notes, edit and manipulate PDFs, and much more.
You will learn more about great Mac PDF Annotators, including those that allow you to annotate PDF on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, etc.
Although you can easily find many PDF readers and writers available online, not all of them have robust functionalities. I shall only include the best notes apps and the leading toolkits to annotate images and texts.
After going through this review, you will also be able to easily determine which of the following is suitable for mobile users. For instance, the app that allows you to perform iPad PDF annotations quickly and efficiently. During the review, I shall point out which tool you should opt for when you are searching for the best PDF notes app for iPad.
Best PDF Note-Taking App for Android
PDFelement
(Android, iPhone, Mac & Windows)
If you are searching for a professional-level Windows 10 PDF editor, check this application from Wondershare. While you can find other feature-rich Windows PDF editors, most of them are complicated to use. On the contrary, PDFelement is the easiest program to edit PDF.
Converts PDFs to Word (And Vice Versa)
The editor converts PDFs to text, RTF, HTML pages, PPT, EPUB, Word, and Excel formats as well as creates them from text files, HTML, and image formats.
Extract Data from PDFs And Others
It also supports permission-based restrictions, password encryption, data extraction, form creation, text editing, and annotation.
You will be pleasantly surprised by its uncluttered and easy to navigate interface. It allows you to gain control of your PDF files like never before.
Easily Create, Analyze & Distribute PDF Forms
I loved its ability to create and distribute PDF forms reliably. Use it to create and distribute forms easily, combine the collected forms for analysis, and then export the collected data in a spreadsheet.
Support for All Devices
You can use this software to edit PDF on Windows as well as on Apple-based operating systems. It is, in fact, the best PDF annotator for Android too. You can depend on this app to combine, make notes on PDF, and much more.
The vendor offers a trial version, which allows you to download, install, and evaluate the software before purchasing it. I have tried several other PDF applications and have concluded that PDFelement is among the best PDF editing software you'll ever come across.
Plans
The company has different plans on offer for both home users and businesses. They've got cheap plans on the standard and pro versions for both the Windows and Mac. The vendor offers special discounts ever so often on their home page. I recommend the pro version as it has many additional features such as:
• Add Bates numbering
• Extract data from PDF forms • Create and edit form fields • Optimize and compress documents • Convert scanned paper into editable PDFs • Optical character recognition • Add digital signature • Archive with PDF/A format • Redact sensitive information • Batch process documents
These are in addition to other features available on the standard version such as:
• Convert PDF files
• Secure and sign PDF files • Fill out PDF forms • Create PDF files • Edit text and images in PDF files • Export PDFs to PowerPoint, Excel, or Word • Annotate and comment on PDF files
The vendor also offers a “Team” plan, which gives you the flexibility to provision, track, as well as manage licensing across groups and teams.
Students and faculty can take advantage of the “Education” plan, which provides a discount of 50% on the “Standard” and “Pro” version.
Remember, the prices include the leasing of the software. Opt for the “Perpetual” license if you want to own this amazing app to write on PDF, which is also the best PDF annotation app for Android.
Best PDF Note Taking Software for iPadPDF Expert
(Mac, iPad & iPhone)
If you are the owner of a Mac and are wondering how to annotate a PDF, try PDF Expert today. This application is also available for the iPad and the iPhone and is the best PDF app for iPad.
PDF Expert's main focus on only Apple devices is, basically, what differentiates it from PDFelement (which also extends its support to Android & Windows devices)
Developed by Readdle, this software was first debuted on the iPad in 2010. It is, without any doubt, the best PDF annotation app for iPad, which allows you to mark up PDF files professionally.
Great for All Apple Devices
The best part is that the latest version (7) is available free of cost for the iPhone and the iPad. You can use it as a PDF annotator on the Mac operating system as well as annotate PDF on iOS.
The vendor offers a trial version, but you cannot use it to extract, delete or add pages, merge documents, password protect your PDF documents, or be able to sign them. You will need the paid version to be able to do all these. The vendor charges $79.99 for the pro version of PDF Expert, which gives you one license for three Macs. You can avail of a special offer if you are a student or a professor.
As there is a free download of this software, you can put it to the test by trying this iPad textbook app for taking notes and making iOS PDF annotations
Convert Texts And Image Documents to PDF
I was delighted by the capability of the program to annotate PDF on the iPad. Version 7 allows you to convert PowerPoint, Excel, and Word (or Apple Slides, Sheets, and Pages) documents to PDF format.
You can also use this software to convert images into PDF documents, be they imported from local storage, Photos library, or even connected cloud service. This feature is quite handy when you take a screenshot and want to insert them into a document.
The “reduce file size” feature allows you to shrink large PDF documents into lossless, high, medium, or low quality before sharing them.
Select Your Frequently Used Tools And Make Them Readily Available
When you purchase the Pro subscription, you get the option to customize which group of tools will show up across the top of the screen on the toolbar.
As this application is only available for the Mac and iOS platforms, you need another document annotation software if your computer has the Windows operating system installed. However, if you are looking for an excellent PDF annotator for iPad, go for PDF Expert.
Best PDF Note-Taking App for MacMovavi PDF Editor
(Mac & Windows)
If you are still using the free version of Adobe PDF reader, you might be well aware of its limitations. The PDF editor from Movavi is a worthwhile option if you are searching for a note-taking app for the Mac platform. It offers you all the features needed for managing and processing PDF documents.
You can use it to create PDF documents from scratch. It is one of the few PDF viewer and editor that offers three different PDF editing modes (object editing, text editing, as well as 4-in-1 page arrangement). https://vfewfuu.weebly.com/blog/apple-mac-employee-only-apps.
E-Signature Solutions
It comes with electronic signature solutions and ready to use legal-size form templates. It boasts of a single click file export as well as print output. You can depend on this easy-to-use application to create individual elements for presenting finished materials.
You need not worry about security as this software keeps the personal information of the user safe at all times.
Extract And Rearrange PDF Pages
Its powerful editing mode permits you to rotate, remove, and rearrange individual pages within a PDF file. Use this application to extract individual pages from PDF documents or to convert images to PDF files.
The cheap subscription charges for a yearly or lifetime license makes it one of the most affordable note-taking apps for the Macintosh platform. The vendor also offers a Windows version of this software.
It is so easy to use that you can master it in a couple of hours.
Convert ‘from PDF' And ‘to PDF'
The latest version of this application can convert a PDF file into HTML, PNG/JPEG image, TXT, and EPUB eBook format, as well as into a DOC file. It can also convert Microsoft Office files (PPTX, XSLX, and DOCX) and bitmap images into PDF format.
Free to Try
Why don't you download the trial version Google apps password sync. and install it to check its awesome features? I am sure you will go for the paid application after having played with the trial version. This PDF annotator for Mac and Windows allows you to annotate PDF files quickly and effortlessly.
The app costs $29.95 per year for a one-year subscription for a single PC, $39.95 for a lifetime license for a single PC, and $99.95 for a lifetime license for three PCs. The price is the same for both Mac and Windows-based PCs.
Consider this software if you are looking for the best PDF annotator for Mac or Windows. Once you try Movavi, you will agree that it is best for taking notes in PDF on both Mac and Windows devices. You will never have to purchase another software to share notes. You can use this app to markup PDF as well.
Cisdem PDF Manager Ultimate
(Mac)
It is the ultimate tool for those searching for a comprehensive PDF solution. It allows users to view/organize PDF files, annotate and edit them, split, merge, extract and compress images and text.
Draw, Comment, Underline, Highlight, And More
Any PDF annotator review would be incomplete without mentioning this Mac note taker. This app allows you to add signatures, add notes, comments, text, as well as shapes. Underline, cross-out, or highlight text as well as draw a line or an arrow for more effective collaboration.
Convert And Extract Images from PDFs
Use this tool to batch convert PDF files to formats such as HTML, eBook, EPUB, Pages, text, Microsoft PPT, Excel, and Word. You can use it for the extraction of images too. The OCR technology of this app permits you to convert scanned images and PDFs to the formats mentioned above, as well as to Keynote and PPT.
Free Notes AppLanguage Text Detection
The OCR engine recognizes text documents in 49 different languages, which include English, Italian, German, and French.
Protect PDF Documents with Password
Password protect your PDF files to prevent others from opening the file. Use the “owner password” option to prevent copying, editing, and printing of generated PDF files.
You can also use this tool to merge, split, compress, as well as extract PDF files. Use this awesome program to write on PDF files.
Priced at $69.99 per piece, you can also download a trial version of this PDF writing software from the website of the vendor.
Best PDF Note-Taking App for WindowsPerfect PDF
(Windows)
Offered by Soft Xpansions, this tool allows you to edit, create, as well as manage portable document files and other electronic documents. It is ideal for small to mid-sized businesses as well as for use at home.
Use this document markup software to edit your PDF documents professionally as well as annotate PDF files.
The main features of this software include signing PDFs, creating complex forms, as well as designing documents.
Easily Create And Edit the Contents of PDF Pages
Perfect PDF is a powerful yet, easy-to-use page editor, which allows you to edit all the contents of a page, not just the images and text. Apart from this, you can also create completely new documents.
Use its powerful features to create PDF files, PDF documents, make a detailed comparison between two pages, and convert your PDF files to PDF/A-1, A-2, and A-3.
Group Notes App Mac DownloadAdd Free-Hand Drawings And Annotations to PDFs
It boasts of batch processing, allows you to add comments on your documents, including text marking, free-handed drawing, stamp, annotations, appendixes, and bookmarks. The PC note-taking tool also can split PDF files and create interactive form fields.
There are 4 packages to choose from:
• Customized pack (single-user license)
• Family pack (three user licenses) • Office pack (ten user licenses) • Company pack starts from 10 users, and the prices are quoted on request
It is the ideal software for taking PDF notes and annotating PDFs. Go through the instructions to understand how to take notes on a PDF and how to study notes. This tool is in my list of the best PDF markup apps.
Epubor WordMate
(Windows)
I have already discussed applications that you can use to create and edit eBooks. Most of them support editing and converting PDF files too. However, WordMate is a standalone eBook writer and editor.
Take PDF Notes in MS Word
As all of you know, creating and formatting an eBook is a laborious and time-consuming task. However, you can easily create professional eBooks with the help of this application if you know how to use Microsoft Word.
This tool is an add-on for MS Word, which allows you to create professional eBooks from within Word. You can convert a Word data file into eBook templates in PDF, MOBI, and EPUB formats and then post them on Google Play, Kobo, Nook, Apple iBooks, and Amazon Kindle.
Great for Creating And Editing eBooks
Additionally, this eBook editor and writer allows you to create new eBooks as well as modify them from other file formats. There is a wide range of supported files, either created or imported.
You can also use this add-on for reading eBooks. As an eBook reader, this nifty tool reads many formats such as HTML, TXT, PRC, MOBI, EPUB, AWZ3, and AZW.
This software incorporates enhancing and editing eBooks, publishing them, developing, and reading eBooks. Unfortunately, it is only available for the Windows operating system.
Using Epubor is Simple
Using this plug-in is quite simple. Compose and format your document in MS Word and then add eBook metadata such as ISBN, cover, author, and title with WordMate and then click “Publish,” “Build PDF,” or “Build Mobi” to get a professional AZW, PDF, or MOBI format eBook.
Group Notes App
The output quality is awesome without any loss in formatting and retains images and fonts you had edited through Word. It is very easy to use, and anybody who has working knowledge about Microsoft Word can quickly create a stunning and professional eBook with WordMate.
You can rest assured that you will find a suitable Windows PDF writer on the list. You can either download and evaluate a trial version or make a purchase. Get hold of this studying tool today, which is better than the online quick notes for books.
Readiris
(Windows & Mac)
Why waste time searching for PDF notes editor for the PC when you can depend on Readiris? It provides you with one of the best ways to edit PDF and allows you to sign, protect, annotate, split, highlight PDF, as well as aggregate your PDFs.
Transform Physical Documents to Electronic
It also allows you to edit, convert, merge PDF, and transform your physical documents into a wide variety of digital formats.
It is available for Mac and Windows operating systems.
You can download the trial version from the vendor's website or buy this PDF software for PC. It is among the best PDF note-takers and document mark-up software. You can use it to annotate PDFs too.
The price of this program is:
• $49 for Rediris PDF 17
• $99 for Rediris Pro 17 • $199 for Rediris Corporate 17
All of the above programs come with comprehensive tutorials that teach you (depending on their supported operating system):
• How to write on PDFs
• How to draw on PDF files • How to add notes and markup a PDF • And More Conclusion
You can also draw on PDF online. However, the quality of the resultant file is nowhere near the quality of the files the abovementioned programs generate.
Note Taking App On Mac
Now that you have read this PDF reader and writer review, you can easily determine which is the appropriate PDF program to manage and manipulate PDF files, based on your needs.
Best Mac Note Taking App
Remember, writing on PDF is simple when done with the perfect PDF editor app. Read the above review to find out the best PDF markup tool for note-taking. Most of them work on the tablet too. Start taking notes with your PDF software of choice.
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