How to Format Notes with the Notes App

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

The Notes app does so much more than simply record a passing thought. In fact, the broad range of formatting customization options that are available is the hallmark of the app. These options allow users the ability to create titles, headings, subheadings, bulleted & numbered lists, and more. Below, we'll be going over how to use basic text formatting tools in the Notes app on iPhone or iPad.

Why You'll Love This Tip:

  • Create organized, easy-to-read notes from the Notes app on your iPhone or iPad.
  • Learn how to use the formatting options in the Notes app for better note-taking and readability.

How to Format Notes in the Notes App

System Requirements

This tip works on any iPhone or iPad running iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 or later.

If you like keeping track of important info, learning to format a note will be a game-changer in terms of your in-app organization, readability, and ease of access. If you like tips about using Apple products and devices, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day!

iPhone Life
Discover your iPhone's hidden features
Get a daily tip (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.
  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Notes app and create a New Note.

    formatting notes
  2. Tap in the note to begin typing, and then tap the Aa button on top of the keyboard.

    format for notes
  3. To format various headings, select from the top row of options.

    undo in notes app iphone
  4. To format text as bold, italic, underlined, or strikethrough, select from the middle row of options.

    format of note
  5. To create a list, select from the list options at the bottom left.

    note headings
  6. To indent a paragraph or undo an indented paragraph, select from the options at the bottom right.

    notes format
  7. When you're done, tap the "X".

    type in notes

And that's how to format a note! There are a lot more advanced ways you can format a note on your iPad or iPhone, like How to Scan on iPhone Using Notes. Also, be sure to check out our Notes App Guide, available to all Insiders, if you want to get all the details on how to master the Notes app!

Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

Topics

Author Details

Rachel Needell's picture

Author Details

Rachel Needell

Rachel Needell is a Feature Writer at iPhone Life, and a poet and author. With 10-plus years of experience working with Apple devices, she specializes in all-things iPad and is a Notes App expert, having worked on both the 2023 iPad Guide and the Notes App Guide. You can usually find her writing in the Daily Tip newsletter as one of our senior Tip writers. Rachel received her Master’s degree in English Literature in 2021 and her most recent work appears in the Winter ’21 edition of New Note Poetry. When she’s not obsessing about Apple products, you can find her voraciously reading fantasy books with her cat in Asheville, North Carolina.