How to Use GoodNotes with a PDF Planner — Complete Beginner Guide

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You've got your PDF planner. You've downloaded GoodNotes. Now what?

Here's the complete setup guide — from import to daily use — in under 5 minutes.

Step 1 — Import your PDF

After purchase, you'll receive a download link by email. Download the PDF to your iPad.

From Files app: Open GoodNotes → tap the + button → Import → find your PDF → tap to import. Done.

From email: Open the attachment in Mail → tap the share icon → select GoodNotes. It imports automatically.

✦ Always import the PDF directly — don't open it in Safari first or you may lose the hyperlinks.

Step 2 — Enable hyperlinks

Once your planner is open in GoodNotes, tap the lasso tool → make sure "Select Hyperlinks" is enabled in settings. Now every tab and button in the planner is tappable.

Step 3 — Choose your pen settings

For daily planning, these settings work well:

Pen type: Fountain pen (feels most natural)
Size: 0.5–0.8mm
Colour: Black or a dark navy

You can save multiple pen presets — set one up for writing and one for highlighting.

Step 4 — Set up your cover page

Most planners have a customisable cover or title page. Use the text tool to add your name, or use the pen to handwrite it. This makes the planner feel personal and yours.

Step 5 — Daily use

Open GoodNotes each morning, navigate to today's daily page using the tab hyperlinks, and start writing. The best planners take 5–10 minutes to fill in each morning.

✦ Add GoodNotes to your iPad dock so it's the first thing you see. Friction is the enemy of habits.

Apple Pencil tips

If you're writing a lot, these small things make a big difference:

Palm rejection works automatically in GoodNotes — you can rest your hand on the screen normally
Double-tap the Apple Pencil to switch between pen and eraser instantly
Tilt the pencil for broader strokes when highlighting

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Backup your planner

Go to Settings in GoodNotes → Auto Backup → enable iCloud or Google Drive. Your planner is automatically backed up every time you close the app. Never lose your notes.

Ready to get started? Browse our PDF planners — all designed specifically for GoodNotes. Shop now →