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How to use your Surface Pen

Interact with your Surface in new ways using Surface Pen. If you're not sure which pen you have, go to Identify your Surface Pen and features

Here's an overview of what you can do with your pen:

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Write and draw

Use your Surface Pen in any app that supports inking. To see which apps to start with, go to the section Try these apps with your Pen.

Start inking with your pen 

Rest your hand on the screen, like you would on a piece of paper, then start writing. Your Surface is designed to ignore your hand and other inputs while you write. Use the pointer that appears under your pen tip to guide you while you ink.

To erase, turn your pen over and rub the end of your pen over your writing or drawing.

Enter text with your pen

If you want to write instead of typing on a keyboard, you can use the touch keyboard that appears on the screen. To learn how to use it, go to Get to know the touch keyboard.

Navigate and click using your pen

Your pen can be used throughout Windows, similar to how you would use a mouse or keyboard. Here are some actions you can start with. 

If you want to

Do this with your pen

Click or select

Tap on an item.

Right-click 

Press and hold the side button, then tap on the item.

Drag and drop

Place your pen on an item and hold it there until the circle around the pointer completes. Then move the item to where you want it to go.

Select multiple items 

Press and hold the side button, then drag your pen over the items you want to select.

Note: Some actions vary based on the app or feature of Windows you're using. 

Use the top button of your pen

Pair Surface Pen 

Your pen uses Bluetooth to pair with your Surface. Here's how:

  1. Select Start  > Settings  > Bluetooth & devices > Add device > Bluetooth.

  2. Press and hold the top button of your pen for 5-7 seconds until the LED flashes white to turn on Bluetooth pairing mode.

  3. Select your pen to pair it to your Surface.

Use top button shortcuts

Once your pen is paired, you'll be able to use the top button. The top button does different things depending on how you interact with the button. To change these shortcuts, select Start  > Settings  > Bluetooth & devices > Pen & Windows Ink

If you want to

Do this with your pen

Open Microsoft Whiteboard

Click the top button once.

Open Snip & Sketch

Double-click the top button.

Open Sticky Notes

Press and hold the top button.

Customize your pen

Change pen pressure

Use the Surface app to check your pen pressure settings. To open it, select Start , enter surface, and select it to open the app. If the app doesn't open, get it from the Microsoft Store.

Open the Surface app

Once open, select the Pen tab to adjust the pen pressure.

Check battery level

You can also check your battery level on the Pen tab in the Surface app.

Change pen settings

If you want to change the top button shortcuts, change the hand you write with, or change other pen settings, go to Change pen settings for more info.

Open pen settings

Try these apps with your pen

Ready to write your ideas, take notes, and be more productive with ink? Get started with these apps. 

Your browser does not support video. Install Microsoft Silverlight, Adobe Flash Player, or Internet Explorer 9.

Microsoft Whiteboard

Microsoft Whiteboard is a freeform digital canvas where you can put your ideas, content, and notes in one place.

Get Microsoft Whiteboard

OneNote

OneNote is your digital notebook for capturing and organizing everything across your devices. Write down your to-do lists, keep track of your notes, and draw your ideas. 

Get OneNote

Microsoft 365 

Microsoft 365 lets you create your best work in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more. Use your pen to annotate documents, navigate through presentations, and draw diagrams.

Get Microsoft 365

Microsoft To Do

To Do helps you manage, prioritize, and complete the most important things you need to achieve every day, powered by Microsoft 365 Integration.

Get Microsoft To Do

Related topics

Interact with your Surface in new ways using Surface Pen. If you're not sure which pen you have, go to Identify your Surface Pen and features

Here's an overview of what you can do with your pen:

Your browser does not support video. Install Microsoft Silverlight, Adobe Flash Player, or Internet Explorer 9.

Write and draw

Use your Surface Pen in any app that supports inking. To see which apps to start with, go to the section Try these apps with your Pen.

Start inking with your pen 

Rest your hand on the screen, like you would on a piece of paper, then start writing. Your Surface is designed to ignore your hand and other inputs while you write. Use the pointer that appears under your pen tip to guide you while you ink.

To erase, turn your pen over and rub the end of your pen over your writing or drawing.

Enter text with your pen

If you want to write instead of typing on a keyboard, you can use the touch keyboard that appears on the screen. To learn how to use it, go to Get to know the touch keyboard.

Navigate and click using your pen

Your pen can be used throughout Windows, similar to how you would use a mouse or keyboard. Here are some actions you can start with. 

If you want to

Do this with your pen

Click or select

Tap on an item.

Right-click 

Press and hold the side button, then tap on the item.

Drag and drop

Place your pen on an item and hold it there until the circle around the pointer completes. Then move the item to where you want it to go.

Select multiple items 

Press and hold the side button, then drag your pen over the items you want to select.

Note: Some actions vary based on the app or feature of Windows you're using. 

Use the top button of your pen

Pair Surface Pen 

Your pen uses Bluetooth to pair with your Surface. Here's how:

  1. Go to Start  > Settings  > Devices  > Add Bluetooth or other device  > Bluetooth .

  2. Press and hold the top button of your pen for 5-7 seconds until the LED flashes white to turn on Bluetooth pairing mode.

  3. Select your pen to pair it to your Surface.

Use top button shortcuts

Once your pen is paired, you'll be able to use the top button. The top button does different things depending on how you interact with the button. To change these shortcuts, go to Start  > Settings  > Devices  > Pen & Windows Ink 

If you want to

Do this with your pen

Open Microsoft Whiteboard

Click the top button once.

Open Snip & Sketch

Double-click the top button.

Open Sticky Notes

Press and hold the top button.

Customize your pen

Change pen pressure

Use the Surface app to check your pen pressure settings. To open it, select Start  , enter surface, and select it to open the app. If the app doesn't open, get it from the Microsoft Store.

Open the Surface app

Once open, select the Pen tab to adjust the pen pressure.

Check battery level

You can also check your battery level on the Pen tab in the Surface app.

Change pen settings

If you want to change the top button shortcuts, change the hand you write with, or change other pen settings, go to Change pen settings for more info.

Open pen settings

Try these apps with your pen

Ready to write your ideas, take notes, and be more productive with ink? Get started with these apps. 

Your browser does not support video. Install Microsoft Silverlight, Adobe Flash Player, or Internet Explorer 9.

Microsoft Whiteboard

Microsoft Whiteboard is a freeform digital canvas where you can put your ideas, content, and notes in one place.

Get Microsoft Whiteboard

OneNote

OneNote is your digital notebook for capturing and organizing everything across your devices. Write down your to-do lists, keep track of your notes, and draw your ideas. 

Get OneNote

Microsoft 365 

Microsoft 365 lets you create your best work in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more. Use your pen to annotate documents, navigate through presentations, and draw diagrams. 

Get Microsoft 365

Microsoft To Do

To Do helps you manage, prioritize, and complete the most important things you need to achieve every day, powered by Microsoft 365 Integration.

Get Microsoft To Do

Related topics

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