A Guide to Use Annotations in Zoom

Quick Tips

• Annotations help you conduct meetings, lectures, and online seminars more effectively and engagingly.
• Open the Zoom app > Settings > Meeting > Enable Annotations.
• To start using Annotations, click on Screen Share > Choose Annotate.

How to Enable Annotations in Zoom

Whenever you share your screen in a Zoom meeting, you can use Annotations to present and explain your ideas or topics better to the participants. If you are a teacher, you can use Annotations during online classes to draw and illustrate better. Working professionals can create an impact during meetings by using Annotations. Annotations work only when you share your screen during a Zoom call.

Step 1: Open your browser and then sign in to your Zoom account.

Step 2: On your Zoom profile page, click on Settings from the left menu.

Step 3: Under the Meeting tab, scroll down and then look for Annotations.

Step 4: Tap the toggle to enable Annotations.

You can also enable Allow sharing of shared screens with Annotations and Only the user who is sharing can annotate. When not required, you can disable these controls.

Tip: Learn how to use the Zoom app on your Apple TV 4K.

How to Start Using Annotations in Zoom

Before you start using Annotations, we recommend checking for the Zoom app update on your Mac or Windows PC. Once done, follow the the steps that remain same for both platforms.

Step 1: Open the Zoom app on your Mac or Windows PC and then start a meeting.

Step 2: Click the Share Screen icon at the bottom Menu Bar to start screen sharing.

Step 3: Once the screen sharing starts, click on Annotate on the bottom Menu Bar.

You will see the Annotations Menu Bar being enabled at the bottom, which can be dragged to the top. The mouse pointer will also transform into a pencil icon to annotate.

Step 4: Click and drag the pencil icon to annotate on your screen.

How to Change Annotation Color on Zoom

Let us now show you some customization options for using Annotations in Zoom. First, let us start with changing the color of your annotations. The steps we mention for all customizations are the same for Mac and Windows users.

Step 1: Open the Zoom app > Start a meeting > Share Screen > Annotate.

Step 2: In the Annotations Menu Bar at the bottom, click on Format.

Step 3: Choose a color of your choice for your annotations.

You can also change the Line Width of your annotations.

How to Erase Annotations in Zoom

Here’s how you can erase your line annotations while sharing a screen on Zoom calls.

Step 1: In the Annotations Menu Bar at the bottom, click the Erase icon.

Step 2: Click and drag the mouse pointer, which will now look like an eraser, and remove your annotations.

How to Use Text Annotations in Zoom

Apart from using lines to highlight certain areas, you can also add Text Annotations while sharing your screen during a Zoom call. Adding Text Annotations can help to write notes during your presentations, lectures, and meetings.

Step 1: Open the Zoom app > Start a meeting > Share Screen > Annotate.

Step 2: Click on Text from the Annotations Menu Bar at the bottom.

A Text box will be created on the bottom-left corner of your shared screen to write your annotated text.

After that, you can use the Format option to change the font style and size of your text annotations.

How to Save Annotations in Zoom

After your Zoom meeting, here’s how you can save your annotations on your Mac or Windows PC so you don’t lose any important notes or pointers.

Step 1: Click the arrow next to the Save icon on the right side of the Annotations Menu Bar.

Step 2: Select the file format for saving your annotations.

After Zoom saves your annotations file, you can access it from the Zoom folder that appears in Documents folder on your Mac or Windows PC.

Tip: Learn how to use Notes in your Zoom meeting.