Use Markup to add text, shapes, signatures, and more to documents on iPad

In supported apps, you can use Markup tools to add text, shapes, signatures, stickers, and image descriptions to your images and documents.

The Markup toolbar is open at the bottom of a note in the Notes app and the Add button in the bottom-right corner of the screen is selected. The following options are available in the Add menu: Add Sticker, Add Text, Add Signature, and Add Shape.

Add text

In a supported app tap or Markup.
In the Markup toolbar, tap , then tap Add Text.
Tap the text box, then use the keyboard to enter text.
To adjust the text’s font, size, justification, style, or color, tap the text editing options at the bottom of the Markup toolbar.
When you’re done, tap outside the text box.
To close the Markup toolbar, tap or Done.

To cut, copy, duplicate, share, or delete a text box, tap it, tap beside it, then tap an option.

Add and edit typed text

To add typed text in apps such as Notes, you can type or write directly in a note without opening the Markup toolbar.

If the Markup toolbar is open, close it by tapping .
Do any of the following:
- Tap in the note, then type using the onscreen or wireless keyboard. See Create and format notes on iPad.
- Use Apple Pencil and Scribble to enter text. See Enter text with Scribble on iPad.

Add a shape

In a supported app, tap or Markup.
In the Markup toolbar, tap , then tap Add Shape.
Tap the shape you want to add, then do any of the following:
- Move the shape: Drag it.
- Resize the shape: Drag any dot along the shape’s outline.
- Adjust the shape’s border color, border width, fill color, and opacity: Tap an option in the Markup toolbox.
- Adjust the shape’s direction or dimension: Drag any green dot along the shape’s outline.
- Cut, copy, duplicate, share, or delete: Tap next to the shape, then tap an option.
When you’re done adjusting the shape, tap the screen.
To close the Markup toolbar, tap or Done.

Tip: Pinch the screen open to zoom in on the document so you can adjust shapes up close. To pan when you’re zoomed in, drag two fingers. To zoom back out, pinch closed.

Draw a shape

You can use Markup to draw geometrically perfect shapes—lines, arcs, and more—to use in diagrams and sketches.

In a supported app, tap or Markup.
In the Markup toolbar, tap the pen, marker, or pencil tool.
Draw a shape in one stroke with your finger or Apple Pencil (on supported iPad models), then pause.
A perfect version of the shape snaps into place, replacing the drawing. (If you prefer to keep the freehand shape, tap .)

The shapes you can draw include straight lines, arrows, arcs, continuous lines with 90-degree turns, squares, circles, rectangles, triangles, pentagons, chat bubbles, hearts, stars, and clouds.

Add your signature

In a supported app, tap or Markup.
In the Markup toolbar, tap , then tap Add Signature.
Use your finger or Apple Pencil to sign your name.
To redo, tap Clear, then sign your name again.
Tap Done, then make the following adjustments:
- Move the signature: Drag it.
- Resize the signature: Drag any dot along the outline.
- Change the signature’s line weight or color: Tap an option in the Markup toolbar.
- Cut, copy, duplicate, share, or delete: Tap next to the signature, then tap an option.
When you’re done adjusting the signature, tap outside the text box.

Add or delete signatures

After you create a signature, iPad saves it to use the next time you tap Add Signature. You can create multiple signatures, such as a nickname or initials, and delete signatures.

In a supported app, tap or Markup.
In the Markup toolbar, tap , then tap Add Signature.
Tap Add or Remove Signature, then tap to create a new signature.
Tap the arrow next to New Signature, then tap the type of signature you want to add, such as given name, nickname, or initials.
Use your finger or Apple Pencil to sign, then tap Done.

To delete a signature, tap , then tap Add Signature. Tap Add or Remove Signature, then tap next to any signatures you want to delete.

Add a sticker with Markup

You can use Markup to add stickers from your sticker collection to documents and images.

In a supported app, tap or Markup.
In the Markup toolbar, tap , then tap Add Sticker.
Touch a sticker, then drag it onto your document or photo.
To adjust the angle of the sticker, before lifting your finger, rotate a second finger around the sticker.
Touch and drag a dot around the outline of the sticker to adjust its size.

You can download sticker packs from the App Store. You can also create stickers in the Messages app, or by lifting subjects from photos and Live Photos. See Send stickers in Messages on iPad and Make stickers from your photos on iPad.

Add custom image descriptions

In supported apps, such as Photos, you can use Markup to add descriptions to images. VoiceOver reads your custom descriptions when you use the Image Explorer.

In a supported app, tap or Markup.
In the Markup toolbar, tap , then tap Description.
Enter your description, then tap Done.

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iPad User Guide