You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

No text formatting in Notes app on iPad?

While the Notes app on iPhone has text formatting, the only kind of formatting options on the iPad is the checklist style and pencil coloring. Why no text formatting?

iPad Pro 11-inch Wi-Fi

Posted on Jul 2, 2022 11:25 AM

Reply
3 replies

Jul 3, 2022 1:59 PM in response to infiniter

Hi infiniter, We appreciate you reaching out to us. We understand that you are asking why there is no text formatting on the Notes app on your iPad.


While limited, there is actually a way to format texts on the Notes app of your iPad.

The article below may help.

Take notes on iPad

We strive to bring the best personal computing experience to customers around the world through our innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings. We welcome your feedback on our products here: Product Feedback - Apple



Take care!

Jul 4, 2022 8:47 AM in response to infiniter

Howdy infiniter,


Thanks for replying, and we'd be glad to provide some information related to your questions!


As for formatting a bullet point list, this should be an option per the resource we provided. Check out the information below to see if this works for you, and you can review this here: Take notes on iPad - Apple Support


Create and format a new note

Siri: Say something like: “Create a new note.” Learn how to ask Siri.

Or do the following:

1. Tap the New Note button, then enter your text.
The first line of the note becomes the note’s title.

2. To change the formatting, tap the Format button.


You can apply a heading style, bold or italic font, a bulleted or numbered list, and more.

3. To save the note, tap Done.

Tip: To choose a default style for the first line in all new notes, go to Settings  > Notes > New Notes Start With.

You can quickly create a note or resume work on your last note by tapping the Lock Screen with Apple Pencil (on supported models). On other iPad models, you can do this if you add Notes to Control Center. To change the Lock Screen behavior, go to Settings  > Notes > Access Note from Lock Screen.


As for viewing the Note on the iPad from your iPhone, the formatting would remain if the feature is available. In addition, you can use iCloud to sync your Notes between devices to avoid needing to AirDrop every time if you'd like: Set up iCloud for Notes on all your devices - Apple Support


We hope that information is able to help.


Have a great day!

Jul 4, 2022 3:11 AM in response to kamote0628

Right, sort of there is. I found that I can change the style of selected text after marking it. The usual bold/italic/underlined.

Well, I was actually trying to create a normal bullet point list.

What I'm wondering now is two things:

  • Why not on iPad?
  • If I start a note on my iPhone with a bulleted list and airdrop it to my iPad, would it show up as such and can be continued? I suppose so.

No text formatting in Notes app on iPad?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.