How to start with digital planning?
The digital planner is a PDF file with hyperlinks adapted for tablets, phones, and personal computers. It allows you to digitize the notes of your paper weeklies and use them more conveniently since all pages will be connected by links. Thus, you can easily navigate between the days by clicking calendar dates, and of course between all sections!
The process of preparing for work is as simple as possible. You need:
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Download the PDF annotation application;
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Download the digital planners as a PDF through a browser or send it to your mail;
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Click on the downloaded file and select the app to work with it.
Which PDF annotation app should I look for?
We recommend for iPad:
and for Android:
Just click on App Name to learn more about how to work with Digital Planner PDFs in this App.
You can also choose one of the task manager apps for digital planning, such as AnyDo, Todoist, Trello, etc. They are perfect for those who expect from digital planning nothing more than scheduling a business meeting or happy birthday to their cousin. Such task managers, as it is, do not have standard fields on which you can write down your thoughts or just the information you need. There is a search by tasks and notes, but you still won't be able to structure your notes like in paper weeklies with quick access. Therefore, for beginners, the planner application is the best option. By having some functions of a task manager, this choice gives you room for creativity.
Since the creation of such a file is a rather laborious process that requires special knowledge, the easiest way is to purchase a ready-made template with hyperlinks or use an application with integrated templates for different occasions. To work with it on a computer, you will need a PDF annotation program, for example, Adobe Acrobat.
However, the best solution for convenience and portability is to use the template with your iPad or any other tablet paired with a stylus that supports handwriting. It allows you to plan even more conveniently than in a classic paper notebook.
Goodnotes is a popular application for annotating PDF. Works with planner templates downloaded from the Internet. Supports adding stickers, covers, and various graphic elements, but they will have to be purchased separately and imported into the program base.
It is almost as easy to work in it as in Digital Planner, but here you do not create your own planner, but the first search and buy a suitable template on the Internet and then open it in Goodnotes and start filling out.
One of the main benefits of the app is its advanced functions for working with text. Handwriting with Apple Pencil looks pretty well. In addition, there is a search on your handwritten text, which works well but not always correctly.
GoodNotes is the go-to app for thousands of users, but the app has a couple of major drawbacks. For example, it only works on the iPad and you cannot view and edit your planner from your home computer or laptop.
FAQ:
How to import PDF files to GoodNotes
PROS
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Highlighting mistakes in the text;
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A detailed tutorial for beginners;
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Convenient handwriting search function;
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Fast file systematization, many filters;
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Easily switching between portrait and landscape orientation.
CONs
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No audio notes;
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The program does not sync with the calendar.
Notability generally works the same way as Goodnotes. The app has similar disadvantages but is also available for macOS, and it's capable of attaching audio recordings to your file. So fans of voice messages will be able to appreciate the possibilities of Notability. Pay attention to the function of working with two files simultaneously on one screen, which is really convenient to use on iPad Pro or Mac. The rest of the functionality is similar to Goodnotes.
The program received an elegant minimalistic design. You can master the controls in a matter of minutes. The interface is not cluttered with unnecessary icons, all the necessary interactive tools are located on the panel at the top of the desktop. You can quickly add typed or handwritten text, use the cut, erase, copy and insert text fragments.
Official FAQ:
How to convert handwriting into to text
PROS
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Handwriting search tool;
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Comfortable navigation using a stylus;
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PDF content can be quickly annotated;
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Working with Dropbox, Google Drive, and Onedrive;
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Adding multimedia content, including images from the gallery.
CONs
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No stickers and covers;
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Inconvenient navigation through voice memos.
Noteshelf, unlike Goodnotes and Notability, also supports Android devices. For example, if you use an iPad with an Apple Pencil for planning, tasks can always be quickly viewed and slightly corrected using your android smartphone. The application has collected many useful functions from analogs, such as working with two notes on one screen, adding photos and audio to your planner, searching by handwriting input, etc.
Serious disadvantages are the lack of sync with calendars, inconvenient sync between devices via cloud storage, and the inability to create subfolders. But in general, the program is good and very interesting, taking a worthy place with the competitor-apps.
Full Official FAQ:
PROS
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Lots of sketching tools;
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Allows you to add tags and background images;
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Viewing materials in the form of a journal spreads;
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Convenient to use on iPhone and Android smartphones;
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You can customize the cover and template for the inner page.
CONs
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Drag and drop is not supported;
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Not the most text zoom function.
Xodo is an absolutely free PDF viewer and annotator for iOS and Android. You can easily navigate through the pages, mark text, add your handwriting and text using Xodo. App supports other formats of office files like .doc, .xls, .ppt, etc.
Also you can use premium version of Xodo. It allows PDF editing, but you don't need it, because planners in PDF works fine only with annotating mode.
If you have any questions about working with Xodo please look at Official FAQ.
PROS
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Free application includes enough of functions for digital planning;
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You can use it on Android and iOS;
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It supports other MS Office files formats.
CONs
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No stickers and pre-installed templates;
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Web version is paid.
This is the best solution for Samsung Smartphones and Tablets. App supports handwriting, navigation with hyperlinks and other thing what you need for easy and success digital planning.
Unfortunately, Samsung Notes only available for Samsung devices, so for devices from another vendors you have to use apps like Xodo or Noteshelf.
If you have any questions or troubles with Samsung Notes, please look at official FAQ.
PROS
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Free and optimized for Samsung devices;
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Allows to add images and sounds to notes;
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Supports convenient handwriting with S Pen.
CONs
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Only for Samsung;
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Has technical restrictions for work with links.
Any Do is a good task manager helps you organize your life efficiently and not forget about your daily activities. There are no pretty templates and no room for creativity. By and large, this program is an advanced calendar that allows you to create different types of tasks and checklists. It does not work with PDF, but it is enough for organizing business life.
It works on all popular OS, also synced with calendars. Quickly sends notifications to the user. If you do not need anything other than not being late for an appointment or not forgetting to buy bread at the store, this app will do it 100 percent. But it is impossible to make a beautiful planner like a paper one in it.
PROS
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A simple grouping of tasks;
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A set of widgets of different sizes;
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Putting important tasks on the agenda;
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Creation of short- and long-term plans;
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Maintaining daily, weekly, or monthly to-do lists.
CONs
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Can't create subtasks;
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Some features are free to try for a limited time.
Apple's presentation app is also suitable for hyperlinked PDFs. It will be appreciated by iPad users with Apple Pencil. First, create your presentation and use this instruction to add links:
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Select the text or shape that you want to convert to clickable hyperlinks;
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Right-click and select Link;
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Select a slide;
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Enter the page number to be referenced;
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Next, the presentation must be saved as a PDF and used with the program for planning.
PROS
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Remote control;
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Apple Pencil support;
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Compatible with PowerPoint;
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Works quickly and smoothly;
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A large number of templates.
CONs
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Supports only Apple devices;
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Problems may occur when integrating with Gmail.
Sync your digital planner with apple & google calendars
Welcome to a seamless synchronization experience between your Apple or Google Calendar and your Customizable Digital Planner on the iPad.
This guide will help you effortlessly integrate your digital planner with your calendar, allowing you to receive alerts about upcoming events.
Let's begin by installing the Planners shortcut!
1. How to Install the Shortcut:
For Apple Users:
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Go to Settings on your iPad.
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Navigate to Shortcuts.
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Enable Private Sharing (Note: You may disable this again after installation).
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Then click the image 👇 below to download the OnPlanners shortcut:
Follow the prompts to confirm the installation.
That's it! Your planner sync icons are enabled.
2. How the Shortcut works
Synchronization Process: When you tap a sync icon on a planner page, it synchronizes the events for that page's layout period. For example, if it’s a weekly layout, it will sync the week's events.
Visualization: After syncing, an image with the events appears in your browser. You can then paste this image directly into your planner's weekly schedule.
Default Settings: The shortcut is set to work with GoodNotes for note-taking and Safari as the browser.
Please note that after a click on any external link, your device may give an alert "External Link - An external application must be launched to handle the link....Do you want to proceed? Yes or No".
Click Yes every time.
All internal planner links work seamlessly.
3. Create Events
Quick Event Addition: To add an event, simply tap on the '+' sign in the time field of your daily, weekly, or monthly planner.
Drag and Drop: You can also drag event details directly from your planner into your calendar if it’s open alongside.
Setting Alerts: To set default event alerts, navigate to Settings > Calendar > Default Alert Times on your iOS device.
4. Sync Events
Initiating Sync: Find the sync icon, represented by an Apple logo encircled with arrows, on your digital planner. This icon is usually located either at the top or along the side of your planner's interface for easy access. To begin synchronization, simply tap on this icon. The process is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly.
Permissions: During the sync process, your iPad will request permission to send data to the planner. This step is crucial for transferring the event details from your planner to the website. You'll also receive a prompt to allow the opening of the planner. For a seamless sync experience, it’s important to grant these permissions when prompted. This allows the shortcut to function correctly and ensures your data is handled securely. By selecting 'Always Allow', you grant the shortcut ongoing permission to access and process your planner's data. This ensures consistent functionality and efficiency in the synchronization process each time you use it.
Click Allow when iPad asks to allow Planners to open.
Post-Sync Visualization: Once the synchronization is complete, an image displaying the events will appear in your browser. This image is designed for effortless integration, allowing you to easily copy and paste it directly into your planner layout.
Privacy Assurance: We prioritize your privacy and data security. The transmission to the planner is encrypted, and the data is only used for the purpose of syncing your planner events.By following these steps, you can effectively synchronize your planner events, ensuring that your digital planner is always up-to-date with your latest schedule. This feature is designed to enhance your planning experience, merging the convenience of digital planning with the power of real-time synchronization.
5. Google Calendar Links
For iOS/Apple Google Calendar Users:
Linking the Calendars: To enable synchronization, link your Google Calendar with your Apple Calendar. The Google Calendar linking manual, provides detailed instructions for this process.
Downloading the Planner: Visit the “Planner Settings & Layouts” section on the planner page. Select “Apple calendar links” and then download your planner with these settings integrated.
For Android Google Calendar Users:
Accessing Calendar Links: Android users can open their Google Calendar by tapping the calendar icon on a specific date within the planner. Note that this function is for accessing the calendar only; it does not support synchronization of events.
Downloading the Planner: In the “Planner Settings & Layouts” section on our website, choose “Google Calendar links.”
6. Setup Alerts
We recommend setting a default event notification in your iOS settings for ease and efficiency.
Setting Default Notifications for Timed Events
Open Settings: On your iOS device, go to the ‘Settings’ app.
Navigate to Calendar Settings:
- Scroll down and tap on ‘Calendar’.
- Inside the Calendar settings, look for the ‘Default Alert Times’ option.
Set Default Alerts for Events:
- Tap on ‘Events’ under ‘Default Alert Times’.
- Choose your preferred default alert time for events. Options typically include times like ‘At time of event’, ‘5 minutes before’, ‘15 minutes before’, etc.
- Selecting one of these options will set it as the default notification time for all new events that you create.
Setting Default Notifications for All-Day Events
Repeat the First Two Steps:
- Open the ‘Settings’ app.
- Go to ‘Calendar’ and then ‘Default Alert Times’.
Set Default Alerts for All-Day Events:
- Tap on ‘All-Day Events’.
- Here, you can select the default alert time for all-day events. These alerts are typically set for a day before the event, like ‘On the day of the event (9:00 AM)’, ‘1 day before (9:00 AM)’, etc.
- Choose the option that best suits your needs.
7. How to Sync with Outlook?
Link your Outlook to Apple Calendar (refer to the manual for guidance).
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