Google Keep is primarily designed for capturing rapid text notes, checklists, and voice memos. However, sometimes words are not enough to explain an idea. If you are sitting in a meeting and need to map out a quick flow chart, or if you need to sketch a rough floor plan for an upcoming event, you do not need to hunt for a piece of physical paper. Google Keep features a powerful, built-in drawing tool that allows you to capture handwritten sketches directly on your mobile device or desktop browser.
How to Access the Drawing Tool
The drawing interface is separate from the standard text input box, and it works best on a touchscreen mobile device or tablet using a stylus, though it is fully functional with a computer mouse.
- Open the Google Keep app on your device.
- Look at the “Take a note…” bar at the bottom of the screen.
- Instead of tapping the text box, tap the Paintbrush icon located on the right side of the bar.
Google Keep will immediately launch a full-screen, blank canvas and display a row of creative tools along the bottom edge.
Using the Drawing Interface
The drawing tool provides a curated selection of writing implements designed for rapid sketching.
- The Tools: Along the bottom, you will see a Pen, a Marker, and a Highlighter. Tap any of these tools once to select it.
- Customizing the Tools: If you tap the tool a second time while it is selected, a popup menu will appear. Here, you can adjust the thickness of the line and select from a palette of 28 vibrant colors.
- The Canvas: By default, you draw on a blank white (or black) background. If you are trying to draw a structured diagram or a scale floor plan, tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner and select Show Grid. You can choose to overlay a square grid, a dot grid, or horizontal ruled lines to help guide your hand.
Editing and Saving Your Sketch
If you make a mistake, you have two options. You can use the standard Undo arrow at the top of the screen to reverse your last action. Alternatively, you can select the Eraser tool from the bottom menu. Tapping the Eraser tool twice allows you to select “Clear Canvas,” which will instantly wipe the entire drawing clean so you can start over.
Perhaps the most powerful feature is the Selection tool (the icon with the dotted square). If you draw a diagram on the left side of the screen but realize you need more room, use the Selection tool to draw a circle around your sketch. You can then use your finger to physically drag that entire piece of the drawing to a different part of the canvas, or pinch to resize it.
Once your sketch is finished, simply tap the back arrow in the top left corner. Google Keep will automatically save your drawing as an image attachment embedded perfectly inside a standard note, allowing you to add a text title or a checklist directly below your masterpiece.