How to create a Freeform board on iPad

You can use the Freeform app to create boards for brainstorming and collaborating. For example, propose a trip with friends and let everyone take part in the planning.

You can add text, sticky notes, photos, videos, and other types of files, and the canvas expands as you add content, so you’re never constrained by space limits or page formatting. You can also start a board from another app, like Notes or Safari.

Create a new board

1. Start the Freeform app on your iPad.
2. Tap the New Board button.
3. Tap one of the options at the top of the screen, such as the Add Text Box button or the Insert button, to start building your board.
4. Move around your board by dragging your finger, and zoom in or out by pinching open or closed.

   Tip: To magnify more precisely, tap the current percentage in the bottom-left corner, then tap a percent.

5. Your board is saved automatically as you work. To name it, tap Untitled in the top left. Tap Rename.

   If you’re working in a window that isn’t full-screen, you may have to tap the More button, then tap Rename.

Create a board from another app

You can start a new Freeform board using content from another supported app, such as Notes, Maps, Safari, Files, Photos, and more.

1. On your iPad, go to the app whose content you want to use on a new Freeform board.
2. Open the item you want to place on the Freeform board (for example, a note, map, webpage, PDF, or screenshot).

   To share just one part of a file to a board (rather than the entire webpage or note), select what you want to share. If your selection includes text, only the text is shared.

3. Tap Share or the Share button and then tap the Freeform app icon.
4. Tap New Board or the name of an existing board.

   Either a link or the item appears in the board.

Open a board

1. Start the Freeform app on your iPad.
2. Tap a category in the sidebar, or do one of the following:
   • If you don’t see the sidebar: Tap the Show Sidebar button.
   • If you’re in a board: Tap the Back button in the top-left corner.

     Note: Any collaborations you get invited to in the Messages app appear in an Invitations section on the Shared Boards screen until you accept them.

3. Tap the board you want to open.

Duplicate a board

1. Start the Freeform app on your iPad.
2. While browsing All Boards, tap the More button at the top and then tap Select.

   If you’re in a board, tap the Back button to browse All Boards.

3. Tap the boards you want to copy. Then tap Duplicate.

Or touch and hold the thumbnail or name of the board, then tap Duplicate.

Note: A duplicate of a shared board isn’t shared, so to send someone a snapshot of the board, see our guide, Send a copy of a board, or to reshare the board, see our article, Invite others to collaborate on a board.

Add a board to Favorites

1. Start the Freeform app on your iPad.
2. Do one of the following:
   • While browsing All Boards: Touch and hold the thumbnail or name of the board, then tap Favorite.
   • If you’re in a board: Tap the Actions Menu button and tap Favorite.

See also

• Collaborate in Freeform boards and folders on iPad
• Draw or handwrite on a Freeform board on iPad
• Customize sharing options in an iPad app