Zoho Notebook provides an array of drawing tools that allow users to add shapes, doodles, labels, and symbols to enhance their pages. These tools are ideal for adding visual interest, annotating information, or dividing content into sections. The Drawing toolbar, located on the right side of the screen, features an assortment of options that bring flexibility and creativity to your digital notebooks. This article will guide you through using Zoho Notebook’s drawing tools, from inserting shapes to customizing labels and arranging elements on the page.

Overview of the Drawing Toolbar

The Drawing toolbar in Zoho Notebook includes multiple buttons to help you add shapes, lines, labels, and more. Starting from the top, here’s a breakdown of the key tools:

Select Tool

This tool appears as a cursor icon and is essential for selecting shapes and objects. After using any other drawing tool, click Select Tool to revert to your cursor. Use this button whenever you need to select a shape to edit, reposition, or delete it.

Hand Tool

The Hand Tool allows you to scroll through your notebook pages by clicking and dragging instead of using the scroll bars on the sides of the screen. Once activated, this tool changes the cursor to a hand icon, enabling easy navigation through large pages.

Text Tool

For quick labels and annotations, the Text Tool is a simple, unformatted way to add text to your page. Once you click Text Tool, click on the notebook page to create a small text box where you can type. This tool is perfect for adding short notes or simple labels.

Line Tool

The Line Tool lets you draw straight lines, which can be used as dividers or to create sections within your page. Simply click Line Tool, then drag from one point to another to draw a straight line.

Free Hand Tool

The Free Hand Tool is your go-to option for doodling. Use this tool for freehand drawing or writing on the page. It’s a flexible tool, ideal for adding personal touches like signatures, sketches, or small illustrations.

Rectangle Tool

It’s useful for creating visual sections on a page or framing specific content.

Circle Tool

No more worrying about imperfect circles—this tool creates smooth, symmetrical shapes every time.

Shapes Tool

The Shapes Tool opens a menu of over two dozen shape options, including arrows, stars, and symbols commonly used in diagrams. These shapes make it simple to add diagrams, flowcharts, or custom icons to your pages.

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Adding and Editing Shapes in Zoho Notebook

Once you’re familiar with the tools available, you can begin inserting and customizing shapes on your pages.

Inserting a Shape

To add a shape to your notebook page:

  1. Select the appropriate shape tool from the Drawing toolbar (line, rectangle, circle, etc.).
  2. Click and drag to create the shape.
  3. Release the mouse button once the shape reaches your desired size.

For additional shapes, click the Shapes Tool to open the full shape menu. Select the shape you want, then follow the same process to place it on the page.

Editing Shapes

After inserting shapes, you can customize their appearance using a set of formatting tools that appear in the toolbar when a shape is selected.

Formatting Rectangles, Circles, and Other Shapes

Common formatting options for shapes include:

  • Stroke Width: Adjusts the thickness of the shape’s outline, from no outline (0 pixels) to a thick border (10 pixels).
  • Stroke Color: Changes the outline color. Click the color palette to choose a new color, or select from recently used colors for consistency.
  • Fill Color: Alters the color within the shape.

For rectangles, an additional Rectangle Type button allows you to toggle between sharp and rounded corners.

Special Shape Tools

Some shapes include additional options:

  • Flip Type: Changes the shape’s orientation. You can flip a shape horizontally, vertically, or both.
  • Shapes Menu Shortcut: This button opens the Shapes menu, allowing you to quickly change a selected shape into another without deleting and re-adding it.

Formatting Lines

Zoho Notebook allows you to draw both straight and freehand lines.

  • The width of the stroke determines how thick the line is.
  • Stroke Colour: Alters the line’s colour.

You can also switch between arrows and regular straight lines.

Formatting Labels

Labels added through the Text Tool in the Drawing toolbar offer a few formatting choices:

  • Font: Choose from eight available fonts.
  • Text Size: Select a text size from 9 to 18 points. Changing text size may resize the text box, potentially cutting off larger font sizes.
  • Text Color: Alters the font color.
  • Highlight Text: Changes the background color of the text box, highlighting the label.

Resizing and Arranging Shapes and Lines

Properly arranging and sizing elements on your page creates a cohesive look. Zoho Notebook provides several options for resizing and arranging shapes, lines, and labels.

Resizing Shapes and Lines

To resize a shape or line:

  1. Ensure the Select Tool is active.
  2. Click the object you want to resize. For shapes, small square handles appear around the border. For lines, small circles appear at each end.
  3. Click and drag a handle or circle to adjust the object’s size. Release the mouse button when the shape or line is at the desired dimensions.

Layering Shapes

Sometimes, you may want to layer shapes over one another, such as placing labels on top of an image or arranging arrows to point towards specific elements. Zoho Notebook’s Menu icon allows you to adjust the layering order:

  1. Click on the shape to display its frame.
  2. Click the Menu icon (usually a green circle with a white arrow) and choose from:
    • Send Backward: Moves the shape back one layer.
    • Bring Forward: Brings the shape forward one layer.
    • Send to Back: Sends the shape behind all other content.
    • Bring to Front: Brings the shape in front of all other content.

Copying and Deleting Shapes

Duplicating and deleting shapes is easy within Zoho Notebook.

Copying Shapes

  1. Select and Click the object.
  2. Click the Menu icon and select Copy, or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+C for Windows or Cmd+C for Mac).

Deleting Shapes

To remove shapes or lines:

  1. Ensure the Select Tool is active.
  2. Click the object to highlight it.
  3. Press the Delete key, or click the Menu icon and select Delete.

Additional Tips for Working with Shapes

Here are some additional tips to make working with shapes in Zoho Notebook even easier:

Pinning Content

Once you have shapes positioned to your satisfaction, use the pushpin icon in the frame to “pin” them in place. Pinned shapes won’t move unless you manually unpin them, making it easy to prevent accidental adjustments.

Undoing Actions

If you make a mistake, use the Undo button in the toolbar (a left-pointing curved arrow) to revert your last action. This feature is especially helpful when you accidentally delete or move an object.

Limitations on Resizing Labels and Freehand Lines

Note that you can’t resize labels added with the Text Tool or lines drawn using the Free Hand Tool. These elements must be redrawn if you want to adjust their size.

Conclusion

Zoho Notebook’s Drawing toolbar offers a range of tools for adding shapes, lines, labels, and other visual elements to your digital notebooks. With easy-to-use formatting, layering, and resizing options, Zoho Notebook provides users with a creative space that goes beyond traditional note-taking. Whether you’re annotating content, creating diagrams, or simply doodling, the drawing tools make it possible to customize your pages to reflect your unique style and needs.

© Image credits to Turgay Koca

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