How to annotate on MacBook?

Unlock the power of annotation on your MacBook. Learn how to utilize built-in tools or third-party applications to annotate documents, images, and more with ease.

Unleash your annotating skills on your MacBook: Master the art of annotation!

On a MacBook, there are several ways to annotate documents, images, and various types of content using built-in tools or third-party applications:

1. Preview Application (Built-in):
   • PDF Annotation: Open a PDF file using the Preview app. Click on the Markup Toolbar (icon resembling a toolbox) and select tools like Text, Shapes, Lines, Arrows, and the Pen tool to annotate. Highlight text, add shapes, draw, or add text boxes by clicking on the corresponding icons in the Markup Toolbar.
   • Image Annotation: Open an image in Preview. Click on the Markup Toolbar to access annotation tools such as Shapes, Text, and Drawing tools. Draw, add text, shapes, or arrows directly onto the image.
2. Notes App (Built-in):
   • Text Annotation: Open the Notes app and create a new note. Use the formatting tools to add text, create lists, or format text styles. The app also allows you to add drawings by clicking on the drawing icon in the toolbar.
3. Third-party Apps:
   • Adobe Acrobat Reader DC: Offers comprehensive annotation tools for PDFs, including text highlighting, drawing, comments, and signatures.
   • Microsoft Word: Provides annotation tools for text documents. Use the Review tab to add comments, highlight text, and track changes.
   • Evernote or OneNote: These note-taking apps offer annotation capabilities for various content types like images, PDFs, and text. Use them to add text, drawings, or annotations to your notes.
4. Apple Pencil (For MacBook models supporting it):
   • If your MacBook is compatible with the Apple Pencil, use it for precise annotations directly on the screen, especially useful for artwork, notes, or diagrams in apps like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.

These methods offer versatile options to annotate and mark up documents, images, and notes on your MacBook, providing flexibility in how you interact with and enhance your digital content. Depending on the nature of your task or preference, choose the most suitable tool or app for your annotation needs.

What apps do people use on MacBooks to annotate documents?

On MacBooks, several third-party applications are widely used for comprehensive document annotation, offering diverse tools and functionalities. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC stands out as a prominent choice for PDF annotation due to its comprehensive set of features. This application enables users to annotate PDFs with tools like text highlighting, comments, drawing shapes, adding signatures, and inserting stamps. Acrobat Reader DC supports extensive document collaboration, allowing multiple users to review and annotate PDFs simultaneously, making it an excellent choice for professional document handling and editing.

Additionally, Microsoft Word for Mac offers robust annotation tools, particularly for text-based documents. Users can add comments, track changes, highlight text, insert notes, and collaborate on documents. This feature-rich application supports advanced annotation features that facilitate effective collaboration and document editing among multiple users. Beyond PDF-specific annotation, Microsoft Word’s tools make it a widely used application for annotating text documents on MacBooks, especially in professional and academic settings where collaborative editing is essential.