The Annotation Toolbar has these tools:

The toolbar will expand or contract depending on screen size and device orientation. If you don't see a tool icon you need, it might be combined with another tool's icon — these combination icons have a caret in the lower-right corner.

Tool Functions

Text Marking

• Text Highlight — highlight text;
• Underline — underline text;
• Squiggle — underline text with a squiggly line;
• Strikethrough — cross out text.

Typing

• Text — enter notes using a keyboard, Scribble, or voice;
• Note — insert a collapsible text note.

Ink

• Drawing — free write or draw with ink;
• Freeform Highlight — write or draw with a highlighter.

Shapes

• Arrow — draw an arrow;
• Line — draw a line;
• Rectangle — draw a square or a rectangle;
• Ellipse — draw a circle or an ellipse.

Media

• Image — insert an image;
• Sound — insert a recorded audio clip;
• Timecode — insert an annotation with the time of day (with an option for the date).

Stamps

• Stamps — use preset or custom stamps for frequently-used quick notes;
• Saved Annotations — insert previously-saved annotations.

Removing Annotations

• Eraser — erase ink annotations.

Selection

• Selection Tool — group selected annotations to merge into one movable shape, or delete them all at once.

Undo / Redo

• Undo — erases the last change made;
• Redo — restores the last undone action.

Apple Pencil

• On / Off — toggles Apple Pencil for annotating.

Toolbar

• Hide — hides the toolbar and exits Annotation Mode;
• Toolbar Reposition — drag the Toolbar to the left, top, or right of the screen:

What's Next

Why aren't the Annotation tools recognizing text in my script?

Using the Style Palette

An Overview of the Top Toolbar

What are Saved Annotations and how do I use them?

Updated on: 29/05/2026