How to Use GoodNotes with Your Digital Planner Like a Pro

So, you’ve found the perfect digital planner—the colours are dreamy, the layout is just right, and you’re ready to take on your schedule like never before. But now you’re looking at GoodNotes and thinking… what do I do now?

Don’t worry—using GoodNotes with your digital planner is easier than you think. Whether you’re totally new to digital planning or just want to upgrade your setup, this guide will walk you through how to use GoodNotes like a total planning pro.

What is GoodNotes (and Why Everyone Loves It)?

GoodNotes is a super popular app (especially among iPad users) that turns your tablet into a notebook, planner, and creative workspace. GoodNotes is smooth, intuitive, and feels a lot like using real pen and paper—but with way more flexibility.

This app is perfect for digital planners, as it allows you to:

• Write and draw with a stylus (or your finger!)
• Add digital stickers and fun visuals
• Search your handwritten notes
  
• Keep everything beautifully organised in one place

It’s available for ios (iPad/iPhone) and Mac, and the newest versions even offer cross-platform access with web and Windows beta versions too.

Step 1: Import Your Digital Planner

Once you’ve downloaded your planner (usually a PDF file), open up the GoodNotes app and follow these simple steps:

1. Tap the “+” icon in the top corner.
2. Choose “Import”.
3. Find your digital planner file (from your downloads, Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud).
4. Tap on it, and voilà—your planner is now inside GoodNotes!

Pro tip: You can rename your planner to something fun or motivational like “My Dream Life”.

Step 2: Master the Writing Tools

Now for the fun part—start writing! If you’re using an Apple Pencil, the handwriting experience is super smooth. You can also type with the text tool or draw with your finger if you don’t have a stylus.

GoodNotes gives you:

• Pen tool (choose from fountain, ballpoint, or brush)
• Highlighters (perfect for colour-coding)
• Eraser (with a handy “erase highlighter only” option)
• Lasso tool (to move anything around)

You can also change colours, thickness, and even save your favourite pen styles for easy access.

Step 3: Use Hyperlinks Like a Boss

Most digital planners come with hyperlinked tabs so you can quickly jump between sections, just like flipping to a tab in a physical planner. In GoodNotes:

• Tap the read-only mode (the little hand icon) in the top toolbar to make the links work.
• Tap on tabs, dates, or icons to jump to different pages instantly.

It’s smooth, fast, and super satisfying.

Step 4: Add Digital Stickers and Extras

This is where your planner starts to feel like you.

To add digital stickers or decorative elements:

1. Open the sticker file (usually another PDF or PNG file).
2. Use the lasso tool to circle the sticker.
3. Tap “Copy.”
4. Head over to your planner and tap “Paste.”

You can resize, rotate, and place stickers wherever you want. You can also create your own inspo boards, vision pages, or use printable-style stickers and inserts.

(P.S. This is one of the best parts—so don’t hold back on the creativity!)

Step 5: Sync Across Devices

If you’re using multiple Apple devices, your planner can sync between them using iCloud. Just make sure iCloud is enabled for GoodNotes in your settings, and you’ll always have your planner on hand, whether you’re on your iPad, Mac, or iPhone.

This makes it super easy to update your plans on the go or review your week while sipping coffee at your favourite café.

Bonus Tips to Plan Like a Pro

• Use Templates: Many digital planners come with bonus pages like meal plans, finance trackers, mood logs, or gratitude pages. Don’t forget to use them!
• Create Custom Covers: Switch up your planner cover to match your mood or the season.
• Backup Regularly: Export your planner to cloud storage every now and then—just to be safe.
• Zoom In: Don’t be shy about zooming in while writing. It keeps things neat and tidy.
• Use Layers: Stack stickers, text, and drawings to create a beautiful layout that works for you.

You’re Ready to Rock Your Digital Planner

See? Not so hard, right? With just a few taps and a little creativity, you can turn GoodNotes into your own beautifully personalised planning space.

Whether you’re planning your week, tracking habits, or just jotting down thoughts, your digital planner is now your daily sidekick. The more you use it, the more you’ll love it—and the more organised, focused, and inspired you’ll feel.

 Looking for Beautiful Digital Planners and Stickers?

At [Your Brand Name Here], we create joyful, easy-to-use digital planners, fun printable stickers, and custom weekly planning tools that help you stay organised and feel amazing every day.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take your digital planning to the next level, we’ve got everything you need to make it fun, stylish, and totally you.