If notes are missing from your script, they're usually on a hidden Layer or a Lost Layer (caused by opening the file in another PDF app) — both are recoverable. Work through the steps below in order.

Quick checks

1. Check for a hidden Layer

This is the most common cause. Annotations live on Layers, and if a Layer's visibility is off, its notes disappear from view.

1. Open your script;
2. Tap the Layers icon in the Top Toolbar;
3. Make sure every Layer's visibility toggle is on.

2. Close the file and update Scriptation

1. Close all open tabs in Scriptation;
2. Install any available update from the App Store;
3. Reopen your script.

3. Make sure you opened the right copy

With multiple drafts or cloud services, it's easy to open the wrong file. Check:

• The file's location (On My iPad, iCloud, Dropbox, etc.);
• The draft date in the file name;
• That it isn't a fresh import of the script, which has no notes yet.

Recover your Layers

4. Look for Lost Layers

If the script was opened in another PDF app — Apple Preview, Adobe Acrobat, GoodNotes, etc. — that app may have damaged Scriptation's Layer data when it saved the file. Your notes are still there as Lost Layers. See I'm missing all of my Layers. What can I do? to recover them.

5. Run a Layer Optimization

A Layer Optimization repairs Layer data that's gotten out of sync. Run it, then check whether your notes reappear.

6. Transfer your notes onto a clean PDF

1. Import a clean PDF of your script;
2. Use Note Transfer to move your notes from the problem file onto the clean copy.

Transferring can bring back notes that weren't displaying on the original.

Recover from cloud storage or trash

7. Restore an earlier version

Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive keep earlier versions of your file. Sign in to the provider's website, find a version from before the notes went missing, and restore it. See How to restore an earlier version of your file with Dropbox — Google Drive and OneDrive work the same way.

8. Check the trash

A copy with your notes may have been deleted. Look in:

• Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive Trash on the provider's website (kept for 30 days);
• iCloud Drive's Recently Deleted folder in the Files app, Finder, or iCloud.com (kept for 30 days);
• Scriptation's Recently Deleted folder for On My iPad / On My iPhone files — see I accidentally deleted my script. How do I recover it?

Match your symptom

Notes went missing after a Note Transfer

Note Transfer never overwrites your notes. It adds the transferred notes to a new Layer on the new script and leaves the original script untouched.

1. On the new script, check the Layers list — your notes may be on their own Layer;
2. On the original script, check its Layers — your notes should still be there.

If notes didn't come across at all, or you saw an error like "annotations couldn't be imported due to page not having text," some pages may be marked wrong. In Master Edit Mode, official script pages should be marked Native; facing pages, sides, and pasted pages should be Added. Fix the markings, then run the transfer again. See My note transfer didn't work. Help! for more.

Notes show up for someone else, or reappear later

Your device may be struggling to draw the notes, especially with several large scripts open or on an older device. Try:

• Closing documents you're not using;
• Running a Layer Optimization on large scripts;
• The steps in Scriptation is running slowly or crashing.

Notes are missing on every other page, or Info Layers disappeared

Some pages may be marked Added instead of Native (or the other way around), often after removing an inserted page like a change list. Check the markings in Master Edit Mode.

Notes disappeared after a force-quit or reinstall

Scriptation saves automatically, so a crash or force-quit shouldn't lose notes — work through steps 1–5 above. If it happens again, send us a short screen recording.

If you deleted and reinstalled the app, files stored On My iPad / On My iPhone were removed with it. Files in Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud Drive come back once you reconnect. Before reinstalling in the future, see Should I delete and reinstall Scriptation?

Live Layers are missing notes on a new device

Live Layers only sync when you tap Share. Anything added after your last Share stays on the old device.

• If you still have the old device, open the script there and tap Share on the Live Layer;
• If the old device is gone, the only option is restoring it from an iCloud backup, if one exists.

Still missing?

Use the Send us an email button at the bottom of this page and include:

• The script's file name and where it's stored (On My iPad, iCloud, Dropbox, etc.);
• What you were doing when the notes went missing;
• A screenshot or short screen recording;
• The file itself, if you can — see How can I share my file with Scriptation's Support team?

Prevent it next time

• Sync with Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive — their version history is the best protection against lost notes;
• Turn on Automatic App Updates;
• Don't open Scriptation files in other PDF apps — even a quick look in Preview or Acrobat can cause Lost Layers;
• Tap Share on Live Layers regularly if your production uses them.

What's Next

I'm missing all of my Layers. What can I do?
My note transfer didn't work. Help!
How to restore an earlier version of your file with Dropbox
I accidentally deleted my script. How do I recover it?

Updated on: 08/10/2026