Can You Use Apple Pencil on Notion? Must-Read Guide!

The Notion app is one of the note-taking apps that students — or anyone — can use. This productivity tool is home to some of the best free templates for students.

But, with more students using iPads for taking digital notes, can you also use the Apple Pencil in Notion?

Does Notion Support Apple Pencil?

The Apple Pencil is a tool that is indispensable to iPad users. It allows any iPad user to draw, take notes, and mark documents like how any writing tool — pencil or pen — works on paper. 

It’s just that you’re “writing” on a digital screen instead of on physical printer.

But as more people are using Notion as a digital note-taking tool and a daily planner, does Notion support the Apple Pencil, how it should be in Notion?

The short answer is YES! The Apple Pencil can be used in Notion. No third-party apps are needed to be installed for it to become functional.

Yet there is a limitation. Out of the three functions that the Apple Pencil can do, drawing is not part of it. Apart from drawing, you can click and scroll through your Notion dashboard. 

Just ensure you have updated your iPad’s OS to its latest version, which is 14. 

What the Apple Pencil Can Do in Notion?

As mentioned, drawing or scribbling on a blank canvas isn’t an available feature yet in Notion. But, Notion is working to add the handwriting feature. It’s just not ready at the moment for users to enjoy.

Since drawing is out of the question, what then can you do with an Apple Pencil in Notion?

Adding Text 

While writing on a blank canvas is not yet feasible, you can add text to your dashboard by writing on an app. Whatever you write on that digital note app will be added to your Notion page.

Striking Through Text

If you want to remove certain text on your Notion page, you can strike through those words. 

You don’t have to press “Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + S” to strike through text on a computer after selecting it first.

Navigating Through Notion

The Apple Pencil serves as your iPad’s mouse (if it is a computer or laptop). Like a regular stylus, you can click and scroll through pages of content in your Notion dashboard. 

How to Draw in Notion Using the Apple Pencil

If you don’t want to miss out on the fun of drawing just because you’re using the Apple Pencil, there are workarounds you can do.

Workaround Method 1: Embed Notion Draw 

Step 1: Add an embed block.

You can tap the “+” icon and add an “Embed” block, or you can type “/” on a blank space and choose “Embed.”

An embed block is then added.

Step 2: Type www.notiondraw.com in the embed block and press “Embed link.”

This step allows you to embed the Notion Draw as a widget that you can use to draw or scribble on. 

Since you have added your “digital paper” or “canvas,” you can now do the following:

• Draw
• Change the ink’s color
• Clear the canvas
• Undo or redo any action

You can even download the drawing you’ve made as an SVG file.

Workaround Method 2: Storing Digital Drawings in Notion

An iPad comes with various apps that allow its users to draw or create sketches. Though you can’t embed them into Notion like the Notion Draw site, you can import the digital files to it instead.

Some of the apps that allow sketching or drawing for iPad users include:

• Notes for iPad
• Notability
• GoodNotes 4

Once you’re done sketching, tap the “Import” option on the left sidebar so you can store them in Notion. 

The only thing though is you can’t edit the sketch you made directly in Notion. You must open the app where the drawing was made and re-import the updated version into Notion. 

Don’t forget to remove the old version of the sketch as it won’t overwrite the previous one saved in Notion.

Conclusion

Using the Apple Pencil in Notion is such a nifty feature that anyone shouldn’t miss out. Though Notion still has to add handwriting support, you can use the Apple Pencil for navigation and note-taking without installing new apps.

So, update your iPad’s OS and use the Apple Pencil for Notion.