From Printables to Digital: The Ultimate Guide to Adding Printables to Goodnotes

How to Import any Printable PDF into Your Goodnotes App on your iPad

Getting your printable PDFs onto your iPad for use in GoodNotes is straightforward. With just a few taps, you can transfer those handy planners, custom templates, or any PDFs you love right onto your device. Once they're on your iPad, you can easily open them in GoodNotes and start organizing, note-taking, or planning with ease. Here’s some ways that you can do it:

1. Direct Download from a Website:
   1. Use Safari or another browser.
   2. Find the PDF link, tap to open it.
   3. Tap the Share icon, then "Save to Files."
2. Email Attachments: 
   1. Open the email with the PDF.
   2. Tap the attachment, then the Share icon.
   3. Choose "Save to Files."
3. Cloud Storage Services (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.):
   1. Open the cloud storage app.
   2. Find and select the PDF.
   3. Use "Export" or "Share," then "Save to Files."
4. AirDrop from Another Apple Device:
   1. Ensure AirDrop is enabled on both devices.
   2. Select the PDF, choose AirDrop, then your iPad.
   3. Accept the transfer on your iPad.
5. From an External Hard Drive Using a USB-C Cable/Port:
   1. Connect the drive to your iPad with a USB-C cable.
   2. Open the Files app, access the drive under "Locations."
   3. Find the PDF, press and hold, then choose "Move."
   4. Select a location on your iPad to save it.

How to Import Your Printables into GoodNotes

Once you've downloaded your printable PDFs onto your iPad, importing them into GoodNotes is a breeze. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Open GoodNotes App:
   • Tap on the GoodNotes icon on your iPad to open the app.
2. Access the Import Menu:
   • On the GoodNotes home screen, look for a '+' sign button. This is usually found in the upper left corner of the screen.
3. Navigate to Files App:
   • Tap on 'Import' and a menu will appear. Select 'Import from Files' from this menu. This will open the Files app interface within GoodNotes.
4. Locate Your PDF:
   • In the Files app view, navigate to the location where you saved your printable PDF. This could be in your 'Downloads' folder, 'iCloud Drive', or any other folder where you saved the file.
5. Select and Import:
   • Find the PDF you want to import and tap on it. GoodNotes will then import the PDF into a new notebook or as a new page in an existing notebook, depending on your preference.
6. Organize in GoodNotes:
   • Once imported, you can rename the document, add it to an existing notebook, or start editing and using it right away in GoodNotes.

That's it! Your printable is now ready to use in GoodNotes. You can write on it, highlight text, add notes, and customize it however you like to fit your planning and note-taking needs.

Rearranging Pages in Your GoodNotes Planner

If you're looking to customize the order of pages in your GoodNotes planner, the app makes it easy and intuitive. Whether you want to prioritize certain sections or simply change the flow, here’s how you can rearrange the pages:

1. Open Your Planner in GoodNotes:
   • First, open the GoodNotes app and navigate to the planner you want to edit.
2. Access the Thumbnail View:
   • Tap on the four squares icon, usually located in the top-left corner of the screen. This will open the Thumbnail view, showing you all the pages in your planner.
3. Select the Page(s) to Move:
   • Press and hold on the page thumbnail you wish to move. If you want to move multiple pages, tap once on additional pages after you’ve selected the first one; they will get highlighted.
4. Drag to New Position:
   • Drag the selected page(s) to the new location within your planner. As you drag, you'll see other pages move aside, making room for the page you're relocating.
5. Release to Place:
   • Once you've found the perfect spot for your page, simply release it. The page will drop into the new position.
6. Exit Thumbnail View:
   • Tap anywhere outside the thumbnails or on the 'Done' button to return to the normal view of your planner.

And voilà! You’ve successfully rearranged the pages in your GoodNotes planner. This feature is particularly handy for organizing your notes, customizing sections, or simply keeping your planner aligned with your changing needs.

Creating Multiple Copies of a Page in Your GoodNotes Planner

If you find a particular page layout in your GoodNotes planner especially useful and want to duplicate it, GoodNotes offers a simple way to create multiple copies of the same page. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open Your Planner in GoodNotes:
   • Start by opening the GoodNotes app and navigating to the planner where the page you want to duplicate is located.
2. Go to Thumbnail View:
   • Tap the grid icon (four squares) usually found in the top-left corner of the screen to open the Thumbnail view. This view displays all the pages in your planner.
3. Select the Page to Duplicate:
   • Find the page you want to copy. Tap on the little “v” shape in the bottom right corner of the page thumbnail.
4. Choose Duplicate Option:
   • In the menu, select the 'Duplicate' option. GoodNotes will create an exact copy of that page.
5. Position the New Page:
   • The duplicated page typically appears right after the original page. If you want to move it to a different spot in your planner, just drag the thumbnail of the copied page to your desired location.
6. Return to Normal View:
   • Once you're done, tap outside the thumbnails or on the 'Done' button to exit the Thumbnail view.

Now you have multiple copies of the same page in your planner. This feature is great for maintaining a consistent layout for different weeks, days, or specific note-taking templates that you frequently use.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use printables from any source in Goodnotes?
   • Yes, you can use printables from any source in GoodNotes as long as they are in a compatible format, primarily PDF.
2. How can I ensure my printables maintain quality when added to Goodnotes?
   • To ensure quality, use high-resolution printables and avoid resizing them significantly in GoodNotes. Also, check that the PDF is properly formatted before importing.
3. Are there any limitations to the types of printables I can add to Goodnotes?
   • The main limitation in GoodNotes is the file format. Ensure your printables are in PDF format, as GoodNotes doesn’t support other file types like DOCX or PPT for direct import.