Applies ToMicrosoft Journal

Microsoft Journal gives you options to ink with the Pen, Highlighter or Pencil. 

Customize Tool

You can customize the type, tip size and color of your tools, by tapping on a selected slot on your toolbar. 

Add custom colors by tapping on the Icon used on button in Journal that opens an insert menu button on the panel.

Erase

There are several options for erasing ink within Journal.

Ruler

Tap on the Ruler Tool on the toolbar, and a ruler will appear on your current page to help you draw straight lines. Tap on the Ruler Tool again to remove from page.

Insert

Using the plus tool   Icon used on button in Journal that opens an insert menu , you can insert PDFsinsert images, or capture a photo using the Camera app.

Check Windows Pen Settings

To access Pen Settings, tap the Settings button  Icon used on settings button in Journal in the top bar of Journal. If you have logged in with Microsoft 365, Settings will be available by tapping your avatar.

Hand Preference

To ensure the best experience within Journal, you should make sure the correct Hand Preference is configured for Left or Right handed use, along with other customizations. This is managed in Windows settings. The Pen Settings menu in Journal provides a shortcut.

You may also wish to change the side of the screen where the side panel appears. You can change this by accessing Display and Appearance settings in Journal and choosing the Page Position that you prefer.

Pen and Pencil Pressure

You can configure the Pen and Pencil tools to be sensitive to pressure. These are turned off by default in Journal. 

If you turn Pen Pressure on, the thickness of your ink will adjust according to the amount of pressure you exert. The more pressure you use, the thicker the line.

If you turn Pencil Pressure on, then the darkness of the pencils will adjust according to the amount of pressure you exert. The more pressure you use, the darker the pencil.

Remember Pen State

Journal will reset the state of the pen, pencil, and highlighter tools to their default states each time you open a journal when Remember Pen State is set to off. This is the default setting.

If you would prefer Journal to remember the color and thickness of these tools between sessions, turn Remember Pen State on.

Tactile Signals

These settings will only appear if your pen supports tactile signals.

The pen can provide a natural writing experience by simulating the feel of paper. To enable this, set the While Inking switch to on.

The pen can acknowledge gestures like instant lasso or the scratchout gesture with a short vibration. To enable this set the With Ink Gestures switch to on.

Windows Settings offer options to turn off tactile signals system wide or change their intensity. If the intensity is set too low or tactile signals are turned off, you may not perceive tactile signals in your pen

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