Use handwriting in Notes on your iPad

Refine your handwriting, spellcheck it, and paste text to resemble your own handwriting in Notes on iOS 18.

In iPadOS 18, Notes uses an on-device model to help recreate handwriting in a similar style to your own. You can also adjust your handwriting without losing the style and feel of your handwriting.

Refine your handwriting automatically

1. In a note, tap the Markup button.

2. Tap the More button.

3. Turn on Auto-refine Handwriting.

   

Manually refine your handwriting

1. In a note, tap to highlight the text that you want to refine.

2. Drag the slider to adjust your selection as needed.

3. Tap Refine.

   

Straighten your handwriting in Notes on your iPhone

Spellcheck your handwriting

1. In a note, tap the Markup button and select a tool.

2. Use your finger or your Apple Pencil to start handwriting.

3. If you misspell a word, tap the dotted blue line that appears.

   

4. Tap the suggested spelling to automatically adjust your handwritten text.

Spellcheck your handwriting in Notes on your iPhone

Copy text then paste it in handwriting on your iPad

1. Highlight then copy text from a website, message, email, or other place on your iPad.

2. Open Notes, and open a note with handwriting in it.

3. Tap a blank space in a handwriting area of your note to reveal the options menu.

4. Tap Paste.

If you haven't written in Notes in your handwriting before, the handwriting option doesn't appear. You might need to write a few paragraphs in your own handwriting before the feature becomes available. Paste as handwriting works best when you paste your copied text in-line with other handwriting.

Learn more about handwriting in Notes on your iPad

Scratch and hold your Apple Pencil down to remove handwriting on your iPad

1. In Notes, open a note that contains handwriting.

2. Tap the Markup button.

3. Select a tool that can draw a line, like the Crayon, Marker, or Pencil.

4. Scratch and hold your Apple Pencil down to delete the handwriting.