Annotate a PDF on an iPad with Notability

Annotate a PDF on an iPad with Notability

This article will cover

  1. How to annotate a PDF file on an iPad
  2. How to use the Notability app for annotation
  3. How to store the annotated copy in Google Drive or send it via email

You will need

  1. An iPad with a iPad OS 14 or higher   
  2. An Apple Pencil that works with your iPad
  3. The Notability app installed   

1 - Annotate a PDF stored in Google Drive using Notability

  1. Open the Notability app on your iPad.
  2. Create or select the folder (left side) you want the file to be stored in:

  1. Select the Import button at top right, then choose the Google Drive option (needs to be set up beforehand in your Notability settings).


  1. Navigate to the location of a Google doc or PDF file and select its name. The file will instantly begin to download to your iPad and then a window will appear
  1. Choose the Create New Note option. This will download the PDF file OR create a PDF file copy of a Google doc:



  1. Choose/set the available options and select the Import button at top right:


  1. Select the Done button at top right:


  1. Open the PDF (or the PDF copy of the Google doc file) from the folder you selected in Step 2. Annotate using the provided tools:



  1. Select the Export/Send To button at top left and choose the Google Drive option:


  1. Choose/set the available options (most importantly the Google Drive folder and the file format) and select the Send to Google Drive button:


NOTE: A local copy of the PDF automatically remains in your Notability app’s storage, unlike the workflow for the built-in Markup feature, which requires you to manually save a copy or delete the working PDF file before closing it.

Additional resources

Official documentation

In-house resources


Last Update: May 17, 2022

    • Related Articles

    • Epson Brightlink 1485 Fi - Wireless Projection (Laptop or iPad)

      This article will cover How to wirelessly connect your Mac laptop or iPad to the BrightLink 1485 Fi Projector How to wirelessly project your device screen or application window to the BrightLink 1485 Fi Projector You will need A Mac laptop running ...

    • Epson Brightlink 1485 Fi - Turn it On and Connect Your Laptop

      This article will cover How to turn on the BrightLink 1485 Fi Projector + Interactive White Board How to connect your laptop to the BrightLink 1485 Fi Projector + Interactive White Board You will need Your Mac laptop A room with the BrightLink 1485 ...

    • Know Your Device - HP EliteBook 840 Laptop

      This article will cover Introduction to the HP EliteBook 840 laptop The ports and slots on the HP EliteBook 840 laptop Other hardware features You will need An HP EliteBook 840 laptop    Introduction Introduced in 2018, the HP EliteBook 840 is a ...

    • How Often Should I Restart My Device? (Laptop, Tablet, Smartphone)

      This article will cover What happens when you restart your computer, tablet or phone When and how often to restart and when to shut down You will need Your computer, tablet or phone 1 - What happens when you restart? Restarting (or rebooting) your ...