What is a Digital Planner?
A digital planner on the iPad is a great way to stay organized and keep track of your schedule. There are many different ways to use a digital planner, and you can customize it to fit your needs.
Got an iPad and an Apple pencil or stylus pen? Awesome! Let me introduce you to the magical world of digital planning. This guide explains what is a digital planner (digital bullet journal), what does a digital planner do, and how to use it.
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What is a digital planner?
Think of a paper planner inside your iPad or tablet. On the iPad, you can decorate the planner with fonts, drawings, images, shapes, etc. You can also create unique weekly pages, monthly calendars, and trackers.
Everything you do on a paper planner can be done on a digital planner, you can create unique layouts and edit the preferences/tools on the apps. Check out my digital bullet journal, I have a couple of spreads you are going to love and it will give you a better understanding of what you can do with a digital planner.
The best part about digital planning is the ability to jump to different pages with one click (hyperlinks). Hyperlinks are interactive links that take you to specific pages in the planner. For example, look at the video below. When you click on the tabs you are automatically taken to a specific page on the planner.
This is something you cannot do with a traditional paper planner, which is why many people love planning on the digital version of their planner.
Why should I use a digital planner?
A digital planner gives you the freedom to edit and take your planners everywhere! Yes, planners. On your iPad, you can have a planner for your wedding, anniversary, college subjects, weekly layouts, meal prep, after-school activities, and more!
At your favorite coffee shop, open your iPad and start working on your Physics notes. Draw figures and shapes on the screen with your Apple Pencil. Next, type questions and answers using text boxes. You can also add and draw on the images. Don’t like something you wrote, quickly delete the text box or drawing. Missed something during the lecture? Listen to the audio recording and edit your notes at the same time. You will never run out of room with a digital planner. Need to add notes in between the pages? No problem! Add pages between the planner and link them back to the index. Got tired of Algebra? Open your habit tracker. or daily planner and start doodling your thoughts and feelings.
Not convinced yet? Besides having multiple notebooks, you can personalize/customize your digital planner any way you like! Keynote planners give you the opportunity to design your dream planner. In a Keynote planner, you can change the cover of the planner, fonts, text, tabs, spreads, and more! Check out the video below to learn how I quickly edit my planner.
How to use a digital planner?
There are two versions of a digital planner PDF and Keynote. You save the PDF file on your iPad and open it in the GoodNotes app. The GoodNotes app allows you to add text, images, and click on hyperlinks. Keep in mind that a PDF planner cannot be edited. You are stuck with the colors and designs the seller chose.
A Keynote planner opens in the Keynote app which can be downloaded for free from the app store. A Keynote planner gives you the freedom to change everything! The fonts, images, spreads, text, tabs, links, pages, and more. You can edit a Keynote planner on your iPad or Mac computer.
Where can I download or purchase the best digital planner?
If you are looking for a simple planner to write down your notes, click on links, and add images, I suggest Etsy.
Choose a Keynote planner if you want to take control of how the planner looks and feels. For example, every month I want a different spread, a different font, and a different style for my planner!
Is GoodNotes the only app I can use for PDFs?
No, GoodNotes is beginner friendly which is why is has become one of the preferred apps. You may also use the apps Notability, Noteshelf, and Metamoji.
What about Android and Windows users?
If you have an Android or Windows device, open your PDF file in the apps Xodo, Metamoji, and EzPDF. Keep in mind the Android and Windows apps are very limited. Meaning you can only add images and click on the hyperlinks.
For an editable planner, check out this PowerPoint digital planner! Just like in Keynote, the PowerPoint version allows you edit everything.
Questions?
Let me know in the comment section if you have questions or need help getting started. Head over to my YouTube channel where I upload digital planner tutorials and bullet journal tips.
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