How to Annotate Documents Digitally

March 30, 2020

There’s a reason the red pencil endures: it’s the most efficient way to communicate mark ups on a document. Trouble is, you need a printer and a red pencil if you want to truly mark up a doc. If your home office is without a printer, annotating and marking up documents with a mouse takes all of the pleasure, art and efficiency out of the process.

Good news: you don’t need a printer to annotate and mark up a doc. You can grab a Wacom tablet, like the Intuos, or a Wacom One, if you prefer to write on screen and get your red (or blue or green) digital pencil working.

How to annotate digitally

In Microsoft Word or Microsoft PowerPoint, head over to the Draw tab and simply pick your pen. Then start marking up the doc. Both programs also allow you to use Windows Ink to create math equations using a pen instead of a mouse or keyboard and in Word, you can embed a drawing canvas right into your Word doc. Save your doc, and you ink is saved too.

annotingword e1585601800649

Annotating and editing in Microsoft Word with a Wacom

 

annotateppt e1585601847765

Use the Draw tab to annotate and edit in Microsoft Power Point with Wacom

 

Annotatemath

Use Ink to Math to write math equations in Word or PowerPoint with a Wacom

Which Wacom products are best for annotation?

WacomWorkingFromHome

Annotating with Wacom One

For those who want to write on screen, the Wacom One is the best pick. It’s designed to feel good – the screen isn’t cold or sticky or smudgy like other tablets – and the pen is ergonomically design thanks to 30 years of researching the way artists hold their pencils and paints. And it’s also a great choice for students who have a lot of math homework, or who want to continue to develop their art.

Intuos Black Small CLIP STUDIO PAINT e1585601358279

Intuos small with Bluetooth

For those who want the same ergonomic benefits and more customizable buttons, the Wacom Intuos is a great choice. This one comes with three free pieces of drawing software and is light and small so you can throw it in a drawer when the home office needs to transition back to the dining room table.

Wacom products are available at Amazon, Best Buy and the Wacom Estore.

Related posts:

How to start animating your characters: The four principles

How to start animating your characters: The four principles

3 ways to embed digital ink in Education: The norm for efficient and effective learning

3 ways to embed digital ink in Education: The norm for efficient and effective learning

Wacom at the 2023 International Society for Technology in Education Conference

Wacom at the 2023 International Society for Technology in Education Conference

Shop the Wacom eStore*

When you shop on the Wacom eStore you get access to discounts, financing, extended warranties, and our industry-leading customer support team.

Connect with Wacom on Social

Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 gives you something priceless: space. There’ll be less zooming in and out too. You can save time and take control of your creativity, for a more efficient, controlled workspace 🚀

Create directly on a large canvas with premium color performance and virtually no parallax. 

Also the Wacom Pro Pen 2 provides state-of-the-art creative pen technology, meaning every stroke, every move of your hand is followed with unerring accuracy 🙌

Discover all the features on the link in bio.

#CintiqPro24 #CreativeProfessionals #CintiqPro
588 11
We're proud and unstoppable together. Here's to you, to us, and everyone we love, from @felolira 🤩 #madewithwacom with #pride🌈 #pridemonth
542 3
Beautifully sweet illustration by artist @ahoi_artist. 🤍🐇⁣
⁣
Ahoi specializes in this charming stylized art that looks almost like a real watercolor painting. 🎨🖌️⁣
⁣
#MadewithWacom #digitalart #art #anime #manga
680 4
Armed with a Cintiq, embroidery machine, and copious amount of talent @toboggany creates amazing illustrations that get brought to life as embroidery masterpieces! 🧵✍️ ⁣
⁣
Please check out more of their incredible work on their page! 👆⁣
⁣
#MadewithWacom #digitalart #art #embroidery #cintiq #fanart
9463 45
With a mix of illustration and 3D, @kentushi shares with us his #WacomWorkspace, and even recreates how he was making it! ✨✍️⁣
⁣
Zoom in to see all the fun details! 🐕✏️⁣
⁣
#MadewithWacom #digitalart #art #deskspace #wfh #officegoals
1458 8
When our inner critic arises, it’s difficult not hear it 😭

Sometimes our internal voice criticizes, judges and makes us doubt of our work telling us that we are not good enough. It happens to all of us!

But it’s all in our heads, trust the progress you’ve made so far and don’t give up!

Have you ever felt this way? 👇

#Artistslife #Innercritic #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
486 9
Who's your favorite Pokémon? 💦🍃🔥⚡⁣
⁣
Some nostalgic friends for #FridayFanart with amazing art by @philipsue_art. If beautiful landscapes, process videos, and art tips are your thing, Philip's page is the place to visit!⁣
⁣
#MadewithWacom #digitalart #animation #art #artprocess #fanart #pokemon #pikachu
6428 26