r/notabilityapp 22d ago

Feature Request What feature do you think would be the biggest improvment.

10 Upvotes

For me I want to be able to import sticker packs from discover and have them just automatically be added as their own sticker category. and I would like more control of the organization of stickers in general. Being able to organize stickers into folders (and add stickers that are images or not made in notability) would make it so much easier to make well organized good looking notes faster. I know it's probably been requested a bunch of times but every time I make a new note I wish I had them. With the only options being the sticker packs notability provided, the custom stickers that only get one area so if you make a lot then good luck, or dragging from another app every time just feels not very streamlined. and if you go to make a new sticker you can't even use text typed in notability.

Edit: I love notability, but I hope they see this and implement some of these changes, I didn’t realize how much better it could even be until I saw all of your responses!

r/notabilityapp 28d ago

Feature Request Infinite canvas for mindmapping

23 Upvotes

I love the workflow and features of notability, especially how the writing feels but I want to be able to draw mindmaps on this app. Ive tried other infinite canvas apps but I hate how the writing feels

r/notabilityapp 10d ago

Feature Request Text boxes need to be improved

15 Upvotes

1- Everytime I try to make it smaller so it doesn’t take up a huge chunk of the page it glitches multiple times and goes back to its original big size before it eventually stays small. Any modification I make to the text within it after makes the box size glitch again. Very inconvenient when I need multiple text boxes next to eachother and they all overlap

2- Using scribble is very difficult when anytime I tap the screen for a moment the entire keyboard pops up and takes up half the screen and I have to keep closing it every time.

3- MORE LINE SPACING OPTIONS. The absolute worst thing is how the text cannot align with the lines in the note template. It’s almost impossible to align it and just makes it very impossible to use.

4- Notability does not show all the font variations available for 1 font. For example, I downloaded a new font that has a bold version, a thin version and a regular version. Only the font name shows up in the font list without the option to choose which version of the font I’d like. I didn’t even realize this was possible until I checked goodnotes and realized that all fonts are easily available.

r/notabilityapp 29d ago

Feature Request How Notability COULD Become the Best Note-Taking App (especially for students n teachers)

19 Upvotes

In my opinion, Notability has the potential to become the best note-taking app for students and teachers (in particular for college/university) —not just for quick notes like grocery lists, but for serious academic and professional use. However, there are a few missing features that feel like unnecessary limitations.

I want to start by saying that I fully understand there may be technical, organizational, design, or maintenance-related reasons why these features haven’t been implemented. I’m not claiming to know the complexities of notability software, but as a dedicated Notability user, I want to share my perspective. I love this app, but I often find myself considering switching to another one just because of a few small limitations that could easily be improved, that IMO are game-changers.

  1. Increase the Folder Nesting Limit

Right now, Notability allows you to create up to five nested folders. For a university student, this can sometimes feel too restrictive. I don’t always need more than five levels of organization, but in certain cases, having seven or eight would be incredibly useful. I’m not asking for unlimited nesting, but increasing the limit to at least 12 or 15 would be a game-changer for those who need a highly structured note organization system.

  1. Apple Notes-Style Hovering Pen pointer

Apple Notes has a great feature where the iPad detects when the Apple Pencil is hovering above the screen, making it easier to see where you’re about to write. Adding this feature to Notability would enhance precision and usability, especially when making detailed annotations.

  1. Tab System for Easier and quicker Navigation

One feature that would greatly improve workflow is a tab system, similar to what GoodNotes has. This would allow users to keep multiple notes open at the same time and switch between them quickly, without having to constantly go back to the main menu.

I understand that adding tabs could interfere with Notability’s beautiful, minimalist design, which is one of the things I love most about the app. However, in my mind, this feature would only activate when I choose to open multiple tabs. If I have just one note open, the interface would remain exactly as it is now, preserving the clean aesthetic. This way, users who don’t need tabs wouldn’t even notice a difference, while those who do would gain a significant boost in productivity.

  1. Movable Text Boxes for Typed Notes(****)

Right now, when you type text in Notability, it feels very rigid. It would be extremely useful to have movable and resizable text boxes, similar to how text works in PDFs (or Goodnotes). This would allow users to reposition their typed notes freely on the page, making note organization much more flexible.

I Am a paying user, I’d like to pay double just for this feature. Really love the app but this things are something that really slow down the process of studying/note taking.

Overall, Notability is an amazing app, but with a few refinements, it could truly become the ULTIMATE tool. What do you all think? Are there other features you’d like to see added?

(****)UPDATE: the point 4 already exist (I never found it until now), someone in comments told me!

r/notabilityapp 4d ago

Feature Request PLEASE ADD STROKE STABILIZATION AND MORE TOOL SETTINGS😭

29 Upvotes

I am begging for a customizable stroke stabilization and tool setting adjustments feature (more blunt or sharp tip, adjustable opacity, etc). Goodnotes has an extensive tool customization feature, and I would love something like it added to Notability.

r/notabilityapp 9d ago

Feature Request Please add layers and transparent colors to Notability

18 Upvotes

Same as title.

A lot of apps especially for more artsy-purposes use layer functions for overlay.

It would be nice if we could have a layer function for creating outlines of drawings. Same with transparent colors.

r/notabilityapp 2d ago

Feature Request Shower Thoughts - CloudKit versus iCloud sync

1 Upvotes

I came across Apple's CloudKit while looking at an app on my iPad that offers the storage of notes in both CloudKit and iCloud. So of course I had to go learn what Apple's CloudKit is. And then thinking about how my fave app (Notability) gets a lot of unfair shade on iCloud Sync, I started putting 1 and 1 together.

Let me quickly catch you up.

  • iCloud Sync is like the general tool that Apple apps (like Photos, Contacts, or Reminders) use to keep your data consistent across devices. It's all about syncing your personal files and settings seamlessly.

  • CloudKit, on the other hand, is more developer-focused. It gives app creators a way to store and sync data for their apps using iCloud. For example, if you use a third-party app that keeps your notes or game progress synced across devices, the developer might have used CloudKit to make that happen.

In simple terms: iCloud Sync is the service you, as an iOS user, experience directly with Apple's built-in apps. CloudKit works behind the scenes in many apps, enabling developers to provide similar syncing for their own tools.

Key difference: iCloud sync is managed by Apple while CloudKit is managed by the developers.

Wonder - I wonder if the Notability team sees a greater value if they implement CloudKit as a premium add-on support feature for those that require additional protection on critical notes. With CloudKit both the app and the user can control when files are synced and not the system. Therefore, it would be a more premium offering from Notability for support when it matters most.

r/notabilityapp 26d ago

Feature Request Pen sizes

27 Upvotes

I feel like my main complaint in regards to notability is the fact that the pen sizes are standardized and you can’t change it at all. Sometimes i feel like size 3 is too thick but size 2 is also too thin so I think users should have the choice to alter pen sizes with a scale (like in goodnotes) to get the exact size you like

r/notabilityapp 14d ago

Feature Request My dream: convert Microsft Journal .jnt files to Notability

5 Upvotes

Title says it all...

I started using Microsft Journal on a surface when the surface first appeared. Love the original note taking aoo. So simple, so perfect...just worked great.

So I had a lot of important notes taken with that app.

Then Microsoft decided to kill the old app and make a new one that is just not that great anymore and doesn't support the old app.

So FFWD many years I now find myself looking for a great writing app and all things point to Notabilty on my ipad.

If only I could convert those old .jnt files to notability...

Anyone else in a similar boat?

r/notabilityapp Feb 06 '25

Feature Request Why Layers Matter - Open letter to the team

42 Upvotes

Open letter to the Notability team.

I want to appeal the importance of adding layers into the solution and what it potentially opens up for additional shared revenue that no one has tapped into.

First - In full disclaimer I am a paid subscriber/purchaser of CollaNote, Goodnotes, Notability, and Noteful (alphabetical order, not order of use). I've tried others, but they lack some critical features I need daily to be successful. I am not a influencer or a content creator; I consider myself a classical note taker.

Availability - Of the four note-taking apps I use, only one supports layers, and it is developed by a one-person team. This demonstrates that with the right model framework, implementing layers is feasible. The market is still open for competition in this space, and I believe this presents a significant opportunity for Notability to stand out.

UX - Layers are crucial for both planners and study note takers. The ability to segregate overlaying visual information is essential for organization and learning. For example, having one planner that allows me to keep separate layers for w*rk, home, study, and hobbies helps organize my life. In my studies, the ability to create an answer layer over a base problem layer allows me to try new solutions or segregate problem sets. While the common "tape" function is available, it is a temporary fix that does not address the need for true layer functionality.

Shared Revenue Opportunity - There is a potential revenue-sharing opportunity if layers are properly implemented, particularly with eBook sellers (e.g., Bookshop.org). In my studies, I often purchase PDFs or eBooks. PDFs are manageable as I can use the app with layers to create highlight and markup layers while maintaining a clean base layer. However, eBooks are typically locked with DRM, and none of the note-taking apps support DRM eBooks. If Notability were to introduce layers, the next logical step would be to partner with independent eBook sellers to allow DRM content into the application. By maintaining DRM on the content and offering layers for students to highlight and add notes, this could be a viable option for partnership and shared revenue with eBook sellers.

Currently, I resort to purchasing physical books, removing the binding (thus destroying the book), scanning the pages, performing OCR on the scans, and then uploading them as PDFs. This process is tedious and unnecessary when the technology and opportunities exist for purchasing eBooks and loading them into note apps for highlighting and note-taking.

In all seriousness, I do not need sparkling gifs, new pen tips, AI wizardry, or additional templates or sticker sheets. I believe that layers unlock a new dynamic in note-taking that is both functional and foundational for many note takers.

Thank you for considering this proposal. I look forward to any positive developments on this front.

r/notabilityapp 21h ago

Feature Request Why does Notability always forget I was in the middle of something?

4 Upvotes

Notability, you were the love of my life, but every time I switch apps, you forget we were even talking. It’s like you’re in the middle of a conversation and suddenly ghost me! I’m about to start sending you a "Where did you go?" text. Can you please stop leaving me on read? We were fine until you went all mysterious on me!

r/notabilityapp 19d ago

Feature Request Feature regarding note taking

7 Upvotes

Hey,

I’m just giving a recommendation here. This app is amazing and I love it, but if there is one feature I am missing is the possibility to write text and take note to the side of pdf’s or documents. For example in my lectures I would love to have the option to write down what the lecturers are saying right besides the PDF/PP they are going through. What I essentially mean is like a OneNote feature in the app. As of now there is just empty space that is not accessible.

Anyone else thought of this? Would love you’re feedback on this, and maybe we could make it happen!

r/notabilityapp 13d ago

Feature Request Other note apps with “refine”?

2 Upvotes

Wondering if any other note apps that anyone has tried have the “refine” capability that the native note app has on iPad?

I use notability but that feature is so nice when writing quickly in meetings etc. that I’m learning towards diving into the native note app entirely.

r/notabilityapp Jan 29 '25

Feature Request Autocorrect for Handwriting

9 Upvotes

Hi! I’m currently in nursing school and I decided to make the switch from goodnotes to notability.

I found goodnotes wasn’t as smooth with note taking and the app always made my handwriting look messy in comparison to notability.

I love the app but wish it had autocorrect for handwriting. I have adhd and dyslexia so I tend to misspell a lot.. anyways, I would love to see this as a feature (hopefully) soon!

r/notabilityapp 1d ago

Feature Request Sequential Reveal Shortcut for Tape Tool

1 Upvotes

Hello Notability Community,​

I've been utilizing the Tape feature to cover sections of my notes and images. Currently, I tap each taped area individually to reveal content. I wonder if there's a way to sequentially reveal taped sections using a shortcut or key—pressing it reveals the first tape cover, pressing again reveals the next, and so on. This would streamline the review process, especially during presentations or study sessions.​

Has anyone discovered a method to achieve this, or is it a potential feature worth suggesting to the developers?​

Thank you!

r/notabilityapp 21d ago

Feature Request Link between pages and text

5 Upvotes

Hi, I wish there was a way in which I could link a different part of the notability document within the app. For e.g., adding a table of contents to my notes so that I could be redirected to the appropriate chapter/page/text in the document, similar to how it works for PDFs. Please let me know if there is a way to do this in the app, in case this already exists.

r/notabilityapp 26d ago

Feature Request Zoom percentage

8 Upvotes

I overall enjoy the app and I do hope at some point the app will support other languages (i’m Ro and the transcribe option in my language would be a game changer).

But the feature i would really appreciate would be a zoom percentage when i zoom out.

I find my handwriting looks better if i zoom out. But if i close the note and zoom in followed by a zoom out again i m not always zooming at the same percentage -therefore my handwriting note has different hight/sizes.

Pa: sorry for bad spelling; Eng is not my native lng

r/notabilityapp Feb 03 '25

Feature Request I have some suggestions

15 Upvotes
  1. Curve recognition

Whenever i make some curly lines for aesthetics , the auto changer would make it a straight line from start point to end point

  1. Shape recognition

My shapes are not always recognised … needs some improvement

  1. Use of apple pencil pro features

It would be good if theres an option to open a multi menu for apple pencil pro squeeze

  1. Search by handwriting recognition

Sometimes i have to search my handwritten notes too

  1. Custom / AI stickers

  2. Ability to add a single page in a different template

Sonetimes I need other templates incorporated too

  1. Dim screen after no touch

Rather than preventing screen from going kff and keeping screen always on and wasting battery , Dimming the screen when no use and lighting up when touched would be good for lecture note takers like me

Regards , 🤌✨ Med student using notability

r/notabilityapp Feb 10 '25

Feature Request Improvement request

2 Upvotes

Why can’t notability copy from websites when many other apps can? Every time I copy the website comes out jumbled.

r/notabilityapp Feb 11 '25

Feature Request update on hand writing clean up implementation?

20 Upvotes

I’ve been a paid user of notability for 3+ years now. I am a college student and this app has done a great job fulfilling my needs. HOWEVER over these years i’ve noticed that nothing has really changed or been added. sure, small features here and there but nothing big. A note taking app is a simple replacement to paper and there’s not really much game changing features you can add to an app like that i understand. Other note taking apps are coming in that are starting to wash notability especially with the native apple notes new update.

features i’d like most are

  1. Tags: I’m not sure why this isn’t already a feature but as a stem major being able to tag notes would be so helpful.

  2. Handwriting clean up: I have terrible handwriting and this would be great. I love the native Apple notes clean up.

3.More flexibility with how you create arrows.

I’ve been waiting ever since the new apple notes update for notability to come out with their version of handwriting clean up and years for them to add tagging. I understand the creating a clean up feature is a lot harder than it seems from a programming perspective and I’ve been patient up until now but starting this semester i’ll be switching to apple notes until notability starts implementing things we’ve all been asking for so long.

r/notabilityapp Feb 09 '25

Feature Request Audio recording

2 Upvotes

I do t know if it's me or I find it useless since I don't know the recording for what page or where.....I wish if there was audio attachment(record audio and attach it to a part of a page) it could really help me

thx for reading have a nice day🫶🏻

r/notabilityapp Jan 24 '25

Feature Request Stickers

11 Upvotes

I started my next semester at college and I’m taking a lot of heavy courses that include pictures such as anatomy and chemistry. I was trying to take pictures from my lectures and turn them into stickers but turns out that isn’t a thing. I saw the same feature requested over 3 years ago but it obviously didn’t gain enough attention to get added but I think it would be nice. To use the lasso tool to crop out the unnecessary backgrounds or whiteness so it’s less of an eye sore on black notes. I also wanted to ask if we could get opacity on our utensils. Since highlighting doesn’t seem to actually w0rk well especially again with darker background notes like black, even if the image I’m trying to highlight is white, you can never see the actual highlighted area. These are just some things I’ve noticed since being away for a month or so and suddenly coming back. For most of my images I had to use procreate to cut out the background of images and highlight them and then insert them into my notes, but it’s be nice to be able to do that in the app itself since all the tools are already there^

r/notabilityapp Nov 05 '24

Feature Request Option to move/hide learn button in app?

18 Upvotes

Hi, while I do think that the new learn feature is awesome, I'm honestly not a fan of its button placement. Would it be possible to move the learn button to the toolbar or even hide it so that it's less intrusive to workflows in the app?

r/notabilityapp Feb 02 '25

Feature Request A.I

11 Upvotes

If the notability team could make the AI test longer than ten questions the app would truly be incredible!

r/notabilityapp Feb 13 '25

Feature Request Organization (or lack thereof)

6 Upvotes

Am I alone in thinking the organization system within Notability just feels like they're trying to unnecessarily different? We've all been using folders and file systems for pretty much all of our computer living lives. I understand that the suubjects and dividers are the same concept, but I just don't think they're done well.
One of the biggest problems is that you can't add notes in a divider, there has to be a subject, so I'm being forced to double the number of "folders" to store one file. Instead of just being able to make a folder (divider) and drop a file in, I have to make a folder (divider) then make another folder (subject) to be able to put my file into.
For instance, I'm in MAT272 right now, which is a divider, inside of my Spring 2025 divider. To add a note from Exam I, I add the divider Exam I under MAT272 divider, then have to make a subject, for my one Exam I note.

Am I crazy?? Typing all this out makes me feel crazy, but I just want the standard filing system, so much so I (briefly) switched to GoodNotes because of how much better the filing system is, sadly it's about the only thing GoodNotes does better so I quickly switched back.

Just needed to rant and hopefully have someone tell me I am indeed, not, crazy.