iPad - Writing on PDFs in Canvas Mobile
You can use the built-in editing tools to add annotations such as highlighting and notes to PDF files posted to Canvas.
Navigate to and select the PDF file on Canvas. The file will open in the content viewer on the right side of the app. Access the editing tools menu by clicking the middle icon at the upper right area.
By default, the editing tools menu will appear on the left side of the document.
The first icon allows you to drag and highlight text – this tool will automatically detect text and creates a highlight over the selected area. You can also press and hold to reveal other related options such as underlining and strikethrough text.
The second icon allows you to add your own text. Tap to select the tool, then tap the screen to select the location for the text. You can also tap and hold this icon to access the callout tool.
The following two images will show an example of the callout tool in use to explain the remaining icons. These will include the freeform draw, freeform highlight, smart draw, eraser, shape (tap and hold this icon for options), and link tools, as well as the undo and redo functions.
After selecting a tool, a color and/or thickness selection will also be available for adjustment.
Any annotations you make will be saved for your personal viewing – they will not alter the document for the rest of your class. If you navigate away from the document on Canvas, they will still appear when you return to it.
To save a copy of your annotated PDF, tap the share button at the upper right corner, then select Save to Files.
Select the location for the file to save. To access it from the iPad’s internal storage, select On My iPad. You can also change the name of the file if you’d like.
If you saved to your iPad, you can navigate to the Files app and see your saved PDF.
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