Google Keep is widely considered one of the best digital notepad apps because it strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and functionality. One of its most powerful features is the ability to instantly transform a standard text note into an interactive, satisfying checklist. Whether you are managing a daily task list, tracking a grocery run, or organizing steps for a work project, checkboxes make tracking progress incredibly simple.
You can create a checklist from scratch, or you can convert a pre-existing list of text into a checklist with a single tap.
How to Create a New Checklist
The fastest way to start a checklist is directly from the main Google Keep dashboard.
On the Mobile App (Android and iOS)
- Open the Google Keep app.
- Look at the bottom of the screen. Instead of tapping the large “+” button (which creates a standard text note), look at the row of smaller icons on the left side of the bottom bar.
- Tap the icon that looks like a box with a checkmark inside it.
- A new note will open immediately in list mode. You will see an empty checkbox with the text “List item”.
- Type your first task and press the Enter/Return key on your keyboard.
- A new checkbox will automatically appear on the next line. Continue typing and hitting Enter until your list is complete.
On the Desktop/Web Application
- Go to keep.google.com.
- Look at the main input bar at the top of the screen that says “Take a note…”.
- Do not click in the text area. Instead, click the New list icon (a square with a checkmark) located on the right side of that input bar.
- Begin typing your items, pressing Enter after each one to generate a new checkbox.
How to Convert an Existing Note into a Checklist
If you have already typed out a long list of items in a standard note, you do not need to delete them and start over. Google Keep can convert existing paragraphs into checklist items.
- Open the standard text note you want to convert.
- On Mobile: Tap the + (plus) icon in the bottom left corner, then tap Checkboxes from the pop-up menu.
- On Desktop: Click the three vertical dots (More) at the bottom of the note card, and select Show checkboxes.
Google Keep will automatically place a checkbox next to every single line break in your note. (If your entire list was written as one long, wrapping paragraph without hitting Enter, it will only create one checkbox. You will need to press Enter between items to separate them).
Managing and Organizing Your Checklist
Once your checklist is created, Google Keep offers several intuitive features to help you manage it.
Checking Off Items
Simply click or tap the empty box next to a task. The task will be crossed out, its text will turn grey, and it will automatically move to a “Completed items” section at the bottom of the list, keeping your active tasks visually prioritized at the top.
If you check a box by mistake, scroll down to the Completed section and tap the box again to uncheck it; it will instantly return to the active list above.
Reordering Items
You can easily prioritize your tasks without rewriting them.
- On Mobile: Tap and hold the six-dot grid icon (the drag handle) to the left of any checkbox, then drag the item up or down the list.
- On Desktop: Hover your mouse over an item until the six-dot drag handle appears on the left, then click and drag it to a new position.
Indenting Items (Creating Sub-tasks)
For more complex lists, you can create sub-tasks by indenting items underneath a main task.
- On Mobile: Tap and hold an item, then drag it slightly to the right. It will indent under the item above it.
- On Desktop: Hover over an item, click on the text to place your cursor, and drag it to the right, or simply press the Tab key on your keyboard.
If you check off a main parent task, all indented sub-tasks underneath it will automatically be checked off as well.
How to Remove Checkboxes
If you decide you no longer want the interactive checkboxes but want to keep the text, you can revert the list back to a standard note.
- Open the note.
- Click or tap the three dots (More) menu.
- Select Hide checkboxes.
The checkboxes will disappear, and any items that were in the “Completed” section will simply become normal text at the bottom of the note.