Create Checklists in Notes App - iOS 9, OS X, iCloud
Creating Checklists in the iOS 9 Notes App
The Notes application within iOS 9 received several enhancements, including the ability to create sketches and incorporate images. However, a particularly valuable, yet often overlooked, feature is the integrated checklist functionality.
How to Form a Checklist
Transforming plain text into a functional grocery list, task list, or even a wish list is a straightforward process within the Notes app. This capability is available across iOS 9, OS X El Capitan, and iCloud.
Here’s a quick guide to utilizing this feature:
- Simply begin typing your list items, each on a new line.
- To convert these lines into checklists, tap the circular checklist icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Each line will then be transformed into a checkbox, allowing you to mark items as completed.
This method provides a simple and effective way to manage tasks and lists directly within the Apple ecosystem. The checklist feature synchronizes seamlessly across your devices via iCloud.
The ease of creating and managing checklists makes the Notes app a more versatile tool for organization and productivity.
Creating Checklists in the iOS 9 Notes App
To begin creating a checklist on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, locate and tap the Notes icon situated on your Home screen.
Should the Notes app be empty, the “Folders” screen will automatically appear. Select the folder where you wish to save your new checklist note. In this instance, we will utilize the primary “Notes” folder.
Initiating a New Note
A new note can be started by tapping the pencil and pad icon, found in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Subsequently, tap the gray circle featuring a plus sign, positioned on the right side of the screen, just above the keyboard. This action reveals a toolbar offering access to the enhanced features of Notes.
Creating Checklist Items
The toolbar will then become visible, granting access to the various new functionalities within Notes. To begin a checklist item, tap the circle icon containing a check mark.
An empty circle will appear within your note, with the cursor positioned immediately after it. Enter the text for your first checklist item at this point.
Pressing “Return” on the keyboard will add a subsequent item to your checklist.
Continue typing your checklist items, and tap “Return” after each entry to generate a new item.
Converting Existing Text to a Checklist
If you have pre-existing text within a note – perhaps copied and pasted from another source – and wish to transform it into a checklist, first select the desired text.
Then, tap the checklist icon located on the toolbar above the keyboard.
Empty checklist circles will be automatically added to the beginning of each line of the selected text.
Finalizing and Deleting Your Checklist
Once your checklist is complete, tap “Done” in the upper-right corner of the screen.
To remove the completed to-do list, tap the trash icon located at the bottom of the screen.
Creating Checklists Within Notes on OS X and iCloud
While checklists are particularly convenient on mobile devices, they can also be generated on your Mac computer and synchronized across all your devices via iCloud.
On your Mac, initiate the process by opening Finder. Navigate to the Applications folder, then select Notes. Launch the application by double-clicking its icon.
To access iCloud Notes through a web browser, visit iCloud.com using a compatible browser and log in with your Apple ID credentials. Subsequently, click the “Notes” icon located on the main iCloud webpage.
If the “Notes” icon is not visible on the iCloud homepage, it may need to be enabled within the settings of your iOS device or Mac computer.
The method for creating checklists remains consistent across both OS X and iCloud platforms. Begin by clicking the pencil and pad icon situated at the top of the screen to initiate a new note.
Next, select the “Make a checklist” button on the toolbar to begin constructing your list. Enter your first item and press “Enter” to automatically add a new line for subsequent entries. Continue adding items, pressing “Enter” after each one.
Important Note: Utilizing the updated Notes application on iCloud.com will only display notes that were created or modified in iOS 9 or OS X El Capitan. Older notes may not appear until those devices are updated.
To delete an entire checklist note, simply click the trash can icon located within the toolbar.
Removing a checklist indicator from a specific item can be done by positioning the cursor on the corresponding line and clicking the checklist button again, both on your iPhone and within iCloud.com.
The Notes app also allows for sharing notes with others via the share sheet in iOS 9. However, be aware that shared interactive checklists will appear as standard, non-interactive bulleted lists for recipients. While not ideal, this provides a functional workaround.