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You can draw directly in a note on a Mac running macOS 27: open the note, open its Markup palette from the current toolbar, and choose a drawing tool. Apple says the palette supports freehand marks, shapes, lines, and text boxes. For Apple Pencil input, use a compatible iPad with Sidecar or create a Continuity Sketch on an iPhone or iPad and insert it into the note.
Draw directly in a note on Mac
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Open Notes and open the note you want to edit, or create a new note.
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Open the note’s Markup palette using the control in the current in-app toolbar. Apple’s macOS 27 Notes User Guide confirms that the palette supports drawing in the note, but its overview does not specify a menu path or keyboard shortcut.
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Choose a drawing tool and make a freehand mark, add a shape or line, or place a text box where it belongs in the note.
#1 Best Overall
Wacom Intuos Small, Wired Graphic Drawing Tablet with Pen + Software | Battery-free pen, 4 ExpressKeys for shortcuts, works with Mac, Windows & Chromebook; Ideal for creators, students & teachers- Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tablet: Enjoy industry leading tablet performance in superior control and precision with Wacom's EMR, battery free technology that feels like pen on paper
- Works With All Software: Wacom Intuos tablet can be used in any software program to explore new facets of digital creativity; draw, paint, edit photos/videos, create designs, and mark up documents
- What the Professionals Use: Wacom's industry leading pen technology and pen to paper feeling makes it the preferred drawing tablet of professional graphic designers
- Software and Training Included: Only Wacom gives you software with every purchase. Register your Intuos tablet and gain access to some of the best creative software and Wacom's online training
- Wacom is the Global Leader in Drawing Tablet and Displays: For over 40 years in pen display and tablet market, you can trust that Wacom to help you bring your vision, ideas and creativity to life
Apple describes this feature as being able to “Sketch an idea right in your note on Mac.” This is drawing in the note body, not marking up an attached file. Apple Notes User Guide for macOS 27.
Mark up a photo, PDF, or scan in a note
If you want to write or draw on an existing attachment rather than in the note body, use that item’s Markup controls. The attachment workflow is separate from drawing directly in a note.
Rank #2
- Battery-Free Pen: StarG640 drawing tablet is the perfect replacement for a traditional mouse! The XPPen advanced Battery-free PN01 stylus does not require charging, allowing for constant uninterrupted Draw and Play, making lines flow quicker and smoother, enhancing overall performance
- Ideal for Online Education: XPPen G640 graphics tablet is designed for digital drawing, painting, sketching, E-signatures, online teaching, remote work, photo editing, it's compatible with Microsoft Office apps like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Zoom, Xsplit etc. Works perfect than a mouse, visually present your handwritten notes, signatures precisely
- Compact and Portable: The G640 art tablet is only 2 mm thick, it's as slim as all primary level graphic tablets, allowing you to carry it with you on the go
- Chromebook Supported: XPPen G640 digital drawing tablet is ready to work seamlessly with Chromebook devices now, so you can create information-rich content and collaborate with teachers and classmates on Google Jamboard’s whiteboard; Take notes quickly and conveniently with Google Keep, and effortlessly sketch diagrams with the Google Canvas
- Multipurpose Use: Designed for playing OSU! Game, digital drawing, painting, sketch, sign documents digitally, this writing tablet also compatible with Microsoft Office programs like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and more. Create mind-maps, draw diagrams or take notes as replacement for mouse
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PDF or scan: Click the down-arrow beside the document title and choose Markup.
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Image: Open the image’s Action pop-up menu and choose Markup.
Rank #3
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Wacom Intuos Small, Bluetooth Graphic Drawing Tablet with Pen + Software- Wacom Intuos Small Bluetooth Graphics Drawing Tablet: Enjoy industry leading tablet performance in superior control and precision with Wacom's EMR, battery free technology that feels like pen on paper
- Works With All Software: Wacom Intuos tablet can be used in any software program to explore new facets of digital creativity; draw, paint, edit photos/videos, create designs, and mark up documents
- Wireless Superior Connectivity: Connect wirelessly via Bluetooth or directly using USB-A cable which enables you to work, draw or create whether it's at a desk, on the sofa, in classroom or even outside
- Software and Training Included: Only Wacom gives you software with every purchase. Register your Intuos tablet and gain access to some of the best creative software and Wacom's online training
- Wacom is the Global Leader in Drawing Tablet and Displays: For over 40 years in pen display and tablet market, you can trust that Wacom to help you bring your vision, ideas and creativity to life
If the Markup controls are missing, check the view size or enable the Markup extension in System Settings. Apple says the Draw tool for attachment Markup appears only on Macs with a Force Touch trackpad; pressing more firmly can make its line heavier and darker. That trackpad detail applies to attachment Markup, not necessarily to drawing in the note body. Apple’s guide to annotating attachments in Notes.
Use Apple Pencil with Notes on Mac
Apple Pencil does not draw directly on the Mac. To use Pencil input alongside Mac work, use a compatible iPad in one of two ways:
Rank #4
- Customize Your Workflow: The 6 customizable press keys on Huion H640P drawing tablet for pc let you assign your most-used commands—like undo, zoom, brush switch, or save—so you can keep your hands on the tablet and your mind on the art. Whether you're a digital painter switching brushes, or a comic artist zooming in and out, these keys keep your workflow smooth and uninterrupted. Plus, the Huion driver lets you save different shortcut profiles for different apps, so you never have to reconfigure when switching software.
- Professional Pen Performance: Huion H640P drawing pad for computer comes with the battery-free PW100 stylus that's always ready when inspiration strikes. With 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, every light sketch, or bold stroke responds naturally to your hand—just like a real pen. The 5080 LPI resolution and 233 PPS report rate deliver lag-free, precise strokes, so you can draw confidently without second-guessing your cursor. The pen side buttons help you switch between pen and eraser instantly.
- Compact and Portable: Huion H640P computer graphics tablet features a compact, ultra-portable design at just 0.3 inches thin and 0.61 lbs light, so it slides easily into your backpack—perfect for sketching in coffee shops, taking notes in class, or editing on the go between home and studio. The 6x4 inch active area offers enough room for natural pen movements while fitting comfortably on crowded desks, or lecture hall seats.
- Stable Compatibility: Huion H640P graphic drawing tablet works seamlessly with Mac, Windows, Linux PCs, and Android smartphones/tablets (OS version 6.0 or later). Left-handed friendly, and you just need to flip the tablet and adjust the settings in the driver. Please note: H640P does NOT support iPhone/iPad.
- Move Beyond the Mouse: Huion Inspiroy H640P is a pen tablet that replaces your mouse for more natural, precise control. Freehand draw, take notes, or even play OSU—everything you do with a mouse, you can do better with a pen. The precise tip makes it ideal for detailed photo editing, graphic design, or signing PDF. Meanwhile, the ergonomic pen grip helps you avoid the strain that comes from hours of using a mouse.
Use Sidecar as a drawing input device
Sidecar lets a compatible iPad act as a drawing input device in Mac apps. Use Apple Pencil on the iPad while working with the Mac app. Check Apple’s current compatibility details before relying on a particular Mac, iPad, or Pencil model. Apple Sidecar support.
Insert a Continuity Sketch into a note
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In Notes on the Mac, Control-click where you want the sketch to appear.
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Wacom Intuos Pro Medium, Bluetooth Graphic Drawing Tablet with ProPen 3- WACOM’S BEST PEN TECHNOLOGY: Pro Pen 3 offers amazing precision, 8192 pressure levels, tilt support & lag-free tracking for smooth, precise strokes; choose slim, straight or flared grip, adjust balance & button layout for precision and comfort
- DIAL INTO PRODUCTIVITY: Speed up and stay in the creative flow with 10 customizable tablet ExpressKeys & 2 mechanical dials conveniently located at the top of the tablet and close to your keyboard for efficiency
- DESIGNED FOR MODERN MONITORS: With a versatile 16:9 format perfect for multiple monitors and wide displays; medium size has a large active area with a small footprint 11.4 x 8.1” / 291 x 206 mm
- SLEEK AND STURDY: Measuring 4mm at its thinnest this professional-grade drawing tablet feels like pen-on-paper on your desk, combined with the robust durability of magnesium making it equally suited for your office or life on the go
- WIRELESS FREEDOM: use Intuos Pro with USB or connect wirelessly via Bluetooth to multiple computers with a simple switch
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Choose the option to insert a sketch from an iPhone or iPad.
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Draw on the device and finish the sketch there; it is inserted into the Mac note.
Continuity workflows require compatible devices, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, the same Apple Account, and the devices to be nearby—within 10 meters. Apple’s device compatibility lists provide the exact supported hardware. Apple Continuity requirements and Apple’s guide to inserting a sketch.
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What you want to do |
Use |
Input and setup |
|---|---|---|
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Add a quick diagram or marks in the note body |
Notes Markup palette |
Mac controls; no iPad setup required |
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Draw on a photo, PDF, or scan already in the note |
Attachment Markup controls |
Markup controls for the selected attachment |
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Use Apple Pencil as an input device in a Mac app |
Sidecar with a compatible iPad |
iPad and compatible-device setup required |
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Create a separate Pencil sketch and put it in a note |
Continuity Sketch |
Compatible nearby iPhone or iPad, shared Apple Account, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth required Quick Recap
SaleBestseller No. 2
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