Annotation or Markup Tools for Android

Forums › Android › Annotation or Markup Tools for Android - Recommend please

networkn

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#270069 21-Apr-2020 21:39

I have Drawboard on my Windows Tablet. I absolutely *love* it. It's easily the best software that makes use of a stylus I have on my devices.

I am looking for something equally as powerful for Android. Something with quick select tools for highlighting (including ability to quickly change colours) and something I can write notes on etc.. I want it to have a quick and simple interface.

Any recommendations. I don't care if it's paid.

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#2467439 21-Apr-2020 21:49

My Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 with the S pen does all that. It's brilliant.

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#2467456 21-Apr-2020 22:09

Not sure if your Android device has a stylus native or not. I use Xodo on my Tab S4. Reads word docs etc, creates pdf etc. I haven't really explored all its potential. I've mostly used it to sign documents.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xodo.pdf.reader

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#2467458 21-Apr-2020 22:22

1eStar: Not sure if your Android device has a stylus native or not. I use Xodo on my Tab S4. Reads word docs etc, creates pdf etc. I haven't really explored all its potential. I've mostly used it to sign documents.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xodo.pdf.reader

What do you mean by stylus native?

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
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#2467476 21-Apr-2020 22:31

The new native Office app has a lot of annotation features.

You need to tell us what sort of device you're using though. It makes a big difference.

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#2467486 21-Apr-2020 23:00

autodesk sketchbook pro.

networkn

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#2467491 21-Apr-2020 23:14

Galaxy tab S3/s6

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#2467493 21-Apr-2020 23:19

1eStar: Not sure if your Android device has a stylus native or not. I use Xodo on my Tab S4. Reads word docs etc, creates pdf etc. I haven't really explored all its potential. I've mostly used it to sign documents.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xodo.pdf.reader

Why do you need Xodo?

With the S Pen you can annotate directly onto Word or PDF documents or pretty well anything else, basically anything that's on the screen. With Samsung Notes you can hand write a note or you can use the handwriting recognition to convert handwriting to typed characters.

You can cut text or images out of anything displayed on the screen it will even offer the option extracting the text from what you have selected so that you can insert it into a document..

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
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#2467495 21-Apr-2020 23:23

networkn: Galaxy tab S3/s6

I must be missing the point. What is it that you cannot do with the S Pen and the apps you have on the tablet?

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
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#2467506 22-Apr-2020 00:28

Technofreak:
1eStar: Not sure if your Android device has a stylus native or not. I use Xodo on my Tab S4. Reads word docs etc, creates pdf etc. I haven't really explored all its potential. I've mostly used it to sign documents.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xodo.pdf.reader

What do you mean by stylus native?

Proper wacom stylus. Not just capacitive. Essential to get proper palm rejection in my experience.

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#2467508 22-Apr-2020 00:36

Technofreak:
1eStar: Not sure if your Android device has a stylus native or not. I use Xodo on my Tab S4. Reads word docs etc, creates pdf etc. I haven't really explored all its potential. I've mostly used it to sign documents.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xodo.pdf.reader

Why do you need Xodo?

I ended up with it as it as the only editor I found that would allow me to sign on a police clearance form. But also because I don't pay Microsoft I don't have any of their software, my screen over 10" can't edit etc so can't vouch for what works in MS stuff.

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#2467659 22-Apr-2020 10:54

1eStar:
Technofreak:

Why do you need Xodo?

I ended up with it as it as the only editor I found that would allow me to sign on a police clearance form. But also because I don't pay Microsoft I don't have any of their software, my screen over 10" can't edit etc so can't vouch for what works in MS stuff.

Perhaps for signing a PDF form I haven't tried that.

MS products like MSWord for Android are free.

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#2468039 22-Apr-2020 19:17

Technofreak:
MS products like MSWord for Android are free.

Ok so it looks like MS are offering a lot more than they did previously with their office app, however without a 365 Sub it's still pretty gimped:

Pasted off MS website
_____________________

Extra features on your Android tablet and phone with Microsoft 365

Core editing is available for free on Android devices with screen sizes of 10.1 inches or less. The extra features below are available on Android tablets and phones with a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription.

Expand all | Collapse all

Extra features on your Android tablet and phone with Microsoft 365

Word

Track and review changes.Change page orientation.Insert page and section breaks.Highlight table cells with custom color shading.Enable columns in page layout.Customize headers and footers for different pages.Apply more colors for formatting.Add and modify chart elements.Use Information Rights Management (IRM)-protected file support.

Excel

Customize PivotTable styles and layouts.Apply custom colors to shapes.Apply more colors for formatting.Turn data into maps.Add and modify chart elements.Insert and edit SmartArt.Use IRM-protected file support.

PowerPoint

Save ink annotations from slide shows.Highlight table cells with custom color shading.Check your speaker notes while you present with Presenter View.Create fluid motion with the Morph transition.Create professional-looking slides quickly with Designer.Apply more colors for formatting.Add and modify chart elements.Insert and edit SmartArt.Use IRM-protected file support.

A qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription is required to use the extra features

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-365-and-office-resources#coreui-heading-8lsfvrc

networkn

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#2468071 22-Apr-2020 20:39

Technofreak:

networkn: Galaxy tab S3/s6

I must be missing the point. What is it that you cannot do with the S Pen and the apps you have on the tablet?

I am not sure what exactly I'm missing, but things like highlighting text or writing directly onto PDF's stored in say google drive, I can't see tools for that in my S3? I can see screenwrite, which takes a screenshot and lets you write on it.

Perhaps take a look at

It's possible I'm missing something, but I am not seeing that from the built in tools in the Galaxy Tab S3 or S6

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#2468107 22-Apr-2020 21:23

1eStar:
Technofreak:

MS products like MSWord for Android are free.

Ok so it looks like MS are offering a lot more than they did previously with their office app, however without a 365 Sub it's still pretty gimped:

I must admit I don't use my tablet for hard core word processor or spreadsheet work, I leave that for my laptop. For what I need the free Word and Excel for Android do everything I need.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
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networkn

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#2468380 23-Apr-2020 09:14

Well, I am not sure what Inbuilt Apps in the S3 and S6 are that are supposed to do Annotation of PDF's, but Xodo was also installed, and does seem to be reasonably effective, so I will use that.

Thanks for the assistance.

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