Write notes on iPad

Use the Notes app to jot down quick thoughts or organize detailed information in checklists, tables, and more.

iPad in landscape orientation with the Notes app open. The notes list appears on the left, with the selected note open on the right. In the upper-left corner of the notes list is a back arrow you tap to view folders and accounts. In the lower-left corner of the notes list is a button you tap to view all attachments. In the upper-right corner of the note are buttons to collaborate on the note with others, delete the note, share the note with others, and create a new note. In the bottom-right corner of the note are buttons to create a checklist, add a photo, video, or scanned document, and add markup.

Create and format a new note

Ask Siri. Say something like: “Create a new note.” Learn how to ask Siri.

Tap , then enter your text.
The first line of the note becomes the note’s title.
To change the formatting, tap .
You can apply a heading style, bold or italic font, a bulleted or numbered list, and more.
To save the note, tap Done.

Tip: You can quickly create a note or resume work on your last note by tapping the Lock screen with Apple Pencil (on supported models). On other iPad models, you can do this if you add Notes to Control Center. To change the Lock screen behavior, go to Settings > Notes > Access Note from Lock Screen.

Add a checklist

In a note, tap .
Enter the items in the list.
When you complete an item, tap the empty circle to add a checkmark.

To return to standard formatting, tap again.

Add or edit a table

In a note, tap .
Do any of the following:
- Enter text: Tap a cell, then enter your text.
- Move to the next cell: Tap Next. When you reach the last cell, tap Next to start a new row.
- Format a row or column: Tap a row or column selection handle, then choose a style such as bold, italic, underline, or strikethrough.
- Add or delete a row or column: Tap a row or column selection handle, then choose to add or delete.
- Move a row or column: Touch and hold a row or column selection handle, then drag it to a new position.
- See more columns: If the table becomes wider than your screen, scroll the table right or left to see all the columns.

To remove the table and convert its contents to text, tap a cell in the table, tap , then tap Convert to Text.

Change the Notes display on your iPad

Make the note fill the screen: While viewing a note in landscape orientation, tap or turn iPad to portrait orientation.
See your accounts, notes list, and selected note all at once: (12.9-inch iPad Pro) Turn iPad to landscape orientation, then tap .

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iPad User Guide

Write notes on iPad

Create and format a new note

Add a checklist

Add or edit a table

Change the Notes display on your iPad