Sep 20,2019 • Filed to: Edit PDF

• Best Note App For Mac

May 10, 2018  The Notes app for Mac is a great place to jot down notes, lists, tasks, tidbits of information, URL and links that you don’t want to bookmark, gather collections of pictures and other info, password protected notes, and much more.And thanks to iCloud Notes, you can also automatically have those notes sync to other Macs and to/from iOS devices like your iPhone and iPad too. Unified Library - No matter where you save your notes - iCloud, Dropbox, Box.net or Google Drive, simply add the location via the + button and Write will arrange them neatly. You can then have quick access to them whenever you need. Unified Tags - Any tags you add via Write for iOS or Mac will be listed here. Tags are automatically synced with the iOS app over iCloud. Feb 13, 2018  Taking notes on a Mac is as simple as opening Notes and starting to type. But the best way to take notes actually depends on your own personal habits and workflow. Some people are better with sticky notes that stay on your screen all the time, or an app that syncs seamlessly with Evernote. Notability handles audio notes like a dream. App developer Ginger Labs recently launched a companion app for the Mac ($10; OS X 10.9 or later), where you can sync your notes via iCloud across.

To take notes on PDF files, will make sure the new users get to know the contents at a glance. For important PDF files it is very important to add notes as they let the others know what has been written. The actions which are to be taken can be specified in form of notes. Another reason for adding notes to PDF is that they can be printed in separately. It also lets the users get to the point information which makes the directions mentioned in PDF easy. There are many programs which are used to manipulate PDF on both Windows and Mac. The best program among them is PDFelement Pro for Mac and Windows.

Part 1. How to Take Notes on PDF in Mac

PDFelement Pro - The Best Way to Take Notes on A PDF

PDFelement Pro is the best program which can be used to manipulate PDF on Mac. The built-in multiple markup tools make it easy to take notes on PDF files. With the help of this tool, you can also easily edit texts, images, url and other element in a PDF. There are many Mac versions which are compatible with this program. It also ensures that the additional functions are performed with ease. Some features of the program are as follows.

Key Features of This PDF Annotator:

• Easily take notes on PDF files and mark up PDF files with multiple markup tools.
• Editing tools have been added to this program. It makes editing PDF using this program to easy and hassle free.
• PDF form handling has been made too easy with this program. Extraction of forms well as creation has been made too easy.
• The advanced OCR feature allows user to edit and convert scanned PDF files in a few simple steps.
• Securing PDF from unauthorized use has never been as easy as it is with this program. The signature can be added to PDF file within seconds.

Steps on How to Take Notes on a PDF using PDFelement Pro for Mac

The process of adding notes using this program is very easy and straightforward. It requires no additional PDF exposure of the user. Every step is self-explanatory and therefore very easy to implement.

Step 1. Import a PDF to PDFelement Pro PDF Editor

The 'Open File' tab should then be pressed to browse and import PDF file. Additionally the drag and drop feature of the program can also be used to import the file:

Step 2. Take Notes on A PDF

Highlight text in a PDF file. Once the PDF file has been imported the annotation features are there under the 'Comment' tab. First of all the 'Highlight' button can be pressed to highlight the selected text

Step 3. Add a text-box to a PDF document

To add notes the 'Text Box' option is to be selected. This will open a box where the relevant content can be written. There is no need to resize the box as it will adjust automatically. At times there are some specific information which should be added. The text call out and comment function can be used to get the desired results

Step 4. Add sticky note to PDF

There are additional options under the 'More' Tab. This includes Text comment, Sticky notes, stamp and signature. 'Sticky Notes' allow the users to add comments in a similar manner as text box or comments. The stamp option can be used to add stamp marking. Similarly the signature option is used to add signatures

Step 5. Draw shapes on PDFs

Under 'Shapes' tab there are many free hand shapes available such as arrow, rectangle, polygon, connected lines, oval, squiggly lines and 'Pencil' can be added by utilizing the shapes tab.

Part 2. How to Take Notes on PDF in Windows

The PDFelement Pro works with same efficiency on Windows as it does on Mac. The interface is slightly different but the overall functionality remains the same. With the help of this PDF annotator, you can easily take notes on PDF documents in Windows.

Why Choose This PDF Annotator for Windows:

• Highlight PDF text, add comments and notes to PDF files with ease.
• Easily edit PDF texts, graphics, images, links, watermarks, etc.
• Convert PDF to images, Word, Excel, PPT, EPUB and convert multiple PDFs in batch.
• Create PDF from other formats and create PDF forms easily.
• Compress PDF files in a few simple steps.
• Easily add watermark, signature and password to PDF for securing PDF.

Steps to Take Notes on PDF in Windows

Step 1. Launch the Program

Afer downloaded and installed the PDF Annotator on your Windows, you can launch the program easily by double clicking on the icon of the program.

Step 2. Import PDF File

Click on the 'Open File' button on the left interface. You can easily add PDF file to the program. The drag and drop feature can also be used to add PDF to the program.

Step 3. Highlight in PDF on Windows

Open the 'Comment' menu on the top tool bar. Click on the 'Highlight' icon and then you can choose the text to highlight.

Step 4. Enable the Typewriter Tool

If additional lines are to be added then 'Typewriter' function can be used. It is also located under the comments tab of the program. Author and object can also be added using this tab. The typewriter also offers wide range of lines which can be added

Step 5. Hiding annotations

In case the annotations are to be hidden the 'Hide Annotation' option can be used to perform the functionality. The same button is used to show all the annotations in case it is required.

You’ll find plenty of note-taking apps for every taste and task on a Mac. Lots of the good ones offer an extended feature set – up to the point of allowing you to write a novel in a single note. But many of us simply don’t expect such omnipotence from a notepad – just to jot down an instant short note often is quite enough.

The good old Evernote with its plethora of features has become too complex for an average user. Those who prefer to simply drop quick notes on the fly have other nice apps they can opt for. The only question: which exact one to choose?

So, if you wish to upgrade your note-taking experience, here is your top-5 list of the selected most beloved apps in terms of simple and quick note making.

Unclutter

Unclutter’s Notes must be the fastest way to jot down a note on a Mac. One mouse gesture and you’re already typing your idea, to-do task, a phone number, or anything else.

Unclutter has no sophisticated features like media files support, handwriting, notebooks, etc. At the same time, it’s incredibly simple and convenient – which is ideal for plain quick note-taking. Truly minimalistic approach.

Interestingly, you may drag the Notes panel out of the Unclutter window and place it anywhere on the Desktop (it’ll stick atop other windows). Voilà – now you have it as a Post-it note.

Other app’s abilities include quick full-text search, all screens availability, auto-sync across all your Macs.

On top of that, Notes is only one of three tools in Unclutter. The other two are Clipboard and Files – what makes Unclutter a great complex (still, simple in use) productivity app.

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Verdict: Being very fast and simple, Unclutter gives you as much as you need to simply churn out notes. Plus, its neat macOS-integrated interface to sweeten your experience. And even lack of more-than-basic features won’t be an issue if you’re actually looking for instant effortless note-taking.

Ghostnote

This one may not be quite so popular and often-used – but it definitely doesn’t make it less worth our attention. Ghostnote specializes in Post-it notes and todos on Mac. But it’s far from a typical notes making app because of its unique approach – being context based.

At first, Ghostnote may appear to be somehow complicated, but after a look at their website or 2-minute explanatory video, it should all become clear.

With this powerful tool, you can annotate virtually everything on your Mac: files, folders, apps, URLs and the list goes on. Thus, Ghostnote should be a great choice for those who need to make lots of comments and remarks during their workflow (coders, editors, etc).

Moreover, the app has its own browser to view and manage your notes from one place; there you can also write classic notes and todos.

This desktop notepad has quite a bunch of things to amaze you with. And its fresh major upgrade only adds points to this app as a member of our top-list.

* * * Great filming apps on a mac pc.

Verdict: Ghostnote is quite different from most of Mac notebook apps in terms of how it works. Its main idea is in contextual notes and todos with which you can annotate all kinds of stuff on a Mac. It will take some time to grasp how all of it works, but once you get it, you’ll have a powerful notepad at your disposal.

Simplenote

As its name implies, Simplenote is for making simple notes. Pretty straight-forward. At the same time, the app provides you with all the essentials you’d want from a decent Mac notepad.

Some cool features you get in Simplenote include tags (which are like folders), collaboration (adding an email of someone to work on a note with) and markdown formatting. These allow easy note finding, sharing and visual enhancing.

Another nice thing to have is the app’s history tracking. Thanks to it, you can easily “go back in time” to the preferred version of your latest notes.

Best Note App For Mac

Its interface quite resembles the one you have in your native Notes app. Although, it looks refined and simplified at the same time. It’s like if you take Apple Notes, remove all extra, add some nice-to-have features (e.g. tags, markdown) with a pinch of elegance – done.

What’s more, Simplenote is available on literally every today’s platform. Thus, your notes are automatically synced across all your devices.

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Verdict: Simplenote is unobtrusive and intuitively clear. Tags, collaboration, markdown, history – all to keep your note-taking process smooth, comfy and simple. This memo app is an ideal solution for ordinary users who don’t want to spend a penny and still get a nice basic notepad for any kind of device.

Google Keep

Sticky notes from uncle Google. Keep’s minimalistic colorful design cheers you up right from the first look at it. It is basically a wall of stickies – like the one you might have somewhere in your apartment.

You can actually do quite a lot of stuff in Google Keep. That includes everything from checklists and reminders to drawing and adding pictures. Labels, collaboration, keyboard shortcuts – goes without saying.

Keep also has some advanced features (you might never use though 😁): Google services integration, voice input, OCR scanner (recognition of image text). Still, for some users those would be a competitive edge when choosing a notepad.

In order to get this talented app, you just have to download a free Chrome extension or you can use it in a regular Chrome tab.

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Verdict: Google Keep may not be the fastest-accessed or best macOS integrated sticky notes app but it’s certainly worth taking look at. In addition, some of its pro features may really surprise you. The fact remains: Google tends to make a lot of useful free stuff – and Keep is no exception.

Apple Notes

Actually, your system Notes app is not that bad as well. It has some basic formatting, checklists, folders, coworking with others… well, even locking notes with a password is possible. Besides, you can add various attachments to your notes.

Apple Notes syncs across your other Apple devices. And obviously, no need to download it as it’s already there, by default. 😊

Right, you won’t see any eye-charming designs or extraordinary solutions – it is dead simple and it just works. So, do not completely reject this option right away. That’s all we’re saying.

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Verdict: If you don’t need your notebook app to be right at hand, look beautiful and have any extra features, stay with Apple’s Notes.

…But why would you search for the best notes apps for Mac after all?

To sum up

We hope our top-5 picks will help you in that uneasy struggle to find your best way to take notes on Mac. We have deliberately omitted notebook apps like Evernote or Bear. The reason is our focus on choosing the best apps for taking notes fast and with minimal effort.

Trying to sum up this article in a few words, we would get the following:

Unclutter – a neat and handy triple productivity tool with instant note-taking.

Ghostnote as the best app for contextual notes.

Simplenote is obviously for simplicity lovers.

Google Keep must be a top choice as a sticky notes app.

And if you are satisfied with plain basic note-taking and don’t want to look any further, you should probably stick with your native Apple Notes.