How to Use Evernote

 

Evernote can be used on Mac, Android, and PC. Download from the app store or visit their website to connect. I’ll focus on the mobile version of the app first.

Getting Started

Evernote sorts your work into Notebooks with notes. Users begin with a starter notebook. 

Naming Notebooks

It’s a good idea to name notebooks as you go, to keep everything organized. Click and hold down on the notebook and a pop-up menu will appear. Rename, delete, move the notebook as needed.

Adding Notes

At the bottom of the screen, click the New note button (usually green with a plus sign). A new note will open with the title of the notebook above. Type to add data to the note. When finished, press the check mark at the top of the screen.

Adding Different Types of Notes

At the bottom of the screen, click on the up arrow next to New note. This will display a list of types of notes to choose from: Add a reminder, Record audio, Add attachment, Start sketching, Take photo, Blank note. Click on the one needed. These options are available once inside a blank note as well. Once in the note, click on the clock icon for a reminder. Click on the paperclip at the top to attach a file, take a photo, record audio, or write longhand. Click the check mark at the top when finished.

Editing Existing Notes

Click on the note on your notebook page. Click on the green pencil at the bottom of the page to edit the note. Press the check mark when finished. Each new note gets a space in the notebook, listed chronologically as you create them with the date and time of each entry. Reminders are listed at the top of the notebook. Any entry with a reminder has a little clock next to it. These can be checked off when finished. Reminders do not sync with Google calendar.

Templates

Evernote has over 50 templates to customize notes. Click on New note. The template option opens with the note. It’s to the right of the typing space. Click on the paper. The gallery is searchable. Not sure what you need? Click on the words All Templates to see the various categories available.

You writers out there, click on the Creative writing option. Now the list will have Novel Plotting, Story Dashboard, Character Profile, and Story Premise Worksheet. Who needs all those other apps with these templates? (Creating your own templates requires premium membership.)

Once in the template, type and edit as you need.

(Psst: a cheat here… Duplicating notes, i.e. getting around the not personal templates option. In each note, the triple dot menu has more options for the note including: copy internal link, duplicate, add shortcut, add to home screen, simple formatting, settings, statistics, and delete note. If you duplicate a note and add it to another notebook, it basically copies the work. So… get a template, customize it, add it to the home screen, duplicate it and add it to your new project. Poof, a custom template. Don’t tell Evernote.)

Search

One of the great things about Evernote is the Search option. You can search all notes and notebooks to find that thing that you can’t remember where you put it. It’s a great way to find info fast and get moving on your work. I take a ton of notes, and they are everywhere. It’s nice to have an app that can look through everything quickly.

The desktop/cloud version has a few more options than the mobile. If you plan to use the app for more than reminders and grocery lists, I highly recommend using the cloud version.

Adding More Options

Inside a note, on the web/desktop version, click on the arrow next to the Insert button. A list of new options displays: Table, Divider, Attachment, Photo, Checkbox, Code block, Sketch, Google Drive. Most of these are self-explanatory. Photos and check boxes can be added in the mobile version, but not Table and Google Drive. And it’s much easier to work with photos here. Tables start 2x2 and can be added too. Photo goes directly to your picture folder (PC).

Does Evernote have more? You bet. But since were are doing basics, hopefully, this post will get you started. Don’t be afraid to explore. Just duplicate any notebooks/notes before playing too much.