Everything here is written for a tablet and a stylus, and for the three apps we build for: Goodnotes, Noteful and Noteshelf. The guides are grouped by what you’re trying to do, so you can skip straight to your question. If you’re new to all of it, start with how to use a digital planner. It’s the short version, and it links to the rest.
Using a digital planner
A digital planner is a PDF with links built in. It works once three things are true: the file is on your tablet, a note-taking app is holding it, and you imported it rather than just opened it. These guides take you from the download to your first week, app by app.
- How to use a digital planner — the short version, and the three things that have to be true
- Bought a planner on Etsy? Start here — where the file goes after you buy
- Using your planner in GoodNotes — importing, covers, stickers, and the one setting to change
- Noteshelf and Noteful — the same setup in the other two apps, and which to pick
- Setting up a digital planner on iPad — which iPad and Pencil you need, and the first ten minutes
- Can a digital planner connect to Google Calendar? — what the calendar links do, and what they don’t
Choosing a digital planner
Two planners can look the same in a gallery and behave very differently once they’re on your tablet. These guides cover the questions worth settling before you buy: whether digital suits you at all, then dates, size and orientation.
- Choosing a digital planner — the seven things that separate planners that look identical
- What is a digital planner? — what the file is, and what it isn’t
- Paper planner or digital? — an honest comparison, including who should stay on paper
- Digital planning for beginners — what you need, and how to start small
- What is a mid-year planner? — a year that runs July to June
- Digital planning for students — a term of lectures and deadlines
- A4 or Letter? — match the page to your tablet screen
- Portrait or landscape? — it comes down to how you hold the tablet
Note templates
Note templates are the undated half of digital planning: pages for lectures, meetings and anything that doesn’t belong on a Tuesday. You import them once and use them as often as you like.
- Cornell notes in Goodnotes, Noteful and Noteshelf — the lecture layout, what goes in the cue column, and how to set it up
Stickers
Digital stickers are image files you drop onto a page, then move, resize and reuse. Getting them into the app is the only tricky part.
- How to use digital planner stickers — the file types, the import in each app, and the four things that go wrong