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Notes Inspector

The main function of this panel is to allow you to view and manage the comments of a layer. When you change your selection, it will be updated automatically to either show the correspondent comment data or allow you to add a new annotation.

It also makes all the plugin’s functionality available at hand. The general plugin-related actions are at the right top corner: updating the comments, change its visibility and access to the settings and export panels.

On the lower side of the inspector you’ll find the comment-specific actions: delete, copy, paste, keyword replacement list and add/edit actions.

Adding Notes

To add a note, first make sure that the Notes Inspector is visible by clicking in PluginsNotebookShow notes Inspector

Then select the layer you want to comment and fill in at least one of the title or comment fields. Once your annotation is ready, use the add button at the bottom right corner.

If you are using the lite version and have no access to the notes inspector, make sure that the layer you want to comment is selected and then use the command: PluginsNotebookAdd/Edit Comment

After clicking the command, a panel will appear to allow you to enter the title and/or comment data.

Deleting Notes

If you want to use the Notes Inspector to delete comments, make sure that it is visible and then use the trash button at the bottom left corner.

With one short click, it will remove the annotations from the layer or layers that are currently selected. By keeping the button pressed, you will delete all comments from the current artboard.

You can also delete comments without the inspector by using the following commands:

PluginsNotebookDeleteDelete Selected Comment(s)PluginsNotebookDeleteDelete All Comments from Current ArtboardPluginsNotebookDeleteDelete All Comments from Current Document

Editing Notes

To edit an annotation, keep the Notes Inspector visible and select the commented layer. The inspector will automatically update the title and comment data so that you can use those fields to edit the information.

Once the changes are done, use the edit button at the bottom right corner and the plugin will update the comment on the sidebar, making the necessary adjustments on its size and aligment.

If you are using the lite version and have no access to the notes inspector, make sure that the layer you want to edit the comment from is selected and then use the command: PluginsNotebookAdd/Edit Comment

Copy & Paste Functionality

To copy a layer’s comment, select the layer and then use the copy button on the inspector panel (second from the left at the bottom left corner).

Then select the layer you want to paste the comment to and press the third buttom from the left.

You can use this functionality withing the artboard, between artboards and/or documents. Additionally, you can use this functionality with the following commands: PluginsNotebookCopy CommentPluginsNotebookPaste Comment

Indicators Positioning

By default, indicators will be positioned automatically. Also, when you move a commented layer, the indicator will be relocated automatically.

If you want to change this behaviour, you can use the following command: PluginsNotebookIndicators RelocationRelocate Indicators Manually

When this setting is active you will always have to relocate indicators manually. If you want to reverse it, use the other command available within the same command menu group: PluginsNotebookIndicators RelocationRelocate Indicators Automatically

This option can also be change from the settings panel. Available using the button with a gear icon on the Notes Inspector or by using the command: PluginsNotebookShow Settings Panel

Whitin this panel, you can also change the offset and position of the indicator relative to the commented layer.

Reordering and Renumbering

You can reorder the comments in the sidebar by dragging them to the position you want. Afte droping them, they will be realigned and renumbered automatically. Just have to make sure that the selected comment is in the right position vertically, everything else will be handled automatically by the plugin.

Indicators over the design will also be renumbered acordingly. Also, When you delete a commented layer, its relative comment and indicator will be removed and the other ones reordered and realigned automatically.

Keyword Replacement

When adding a comment using the Notes Inspector, you can use the keyword replacement to get values from the selected layer. Place your cursor over the third bottom of the bottom left corner and a dropdown with the predefined values will appear:

After selecting one of the values, the keyword will appear in the comment field wrapped between double brackets. Just leave it there and the comment will show the desired value once added.

You could also type the keywords manually, just make sure that they are not misspelled and that they are correctly wrapped in double brackets. Here is a table of available values/keywords:

Value keyword Output Example
Layer Name {{layerName}} “Header group”
X pos. {{layerX}} 112
Y pos. {{layerY}} 0
Layer Width {{layerWidth}} 1024px
Layer Height {{layerHeight}} 150px
Fill Color {{layerColor}} #203040
Border Color {{borderColor}} #F0F1F2
Border Width {{borderWidth}} #C8C9C0
Font Family {{fontFamily}} “Helvetica Neue”
Font Weight {{fontWeight}} 400
Font Size {{fontSize}} 12px
Font Alignment {{fontAlignment}} Left
Line Height {{lineHeight}} 24px
Font Color {{fontColor}} #E0E9E8

Sidebar Visibility

By clicking the button with an eye icon on the top right corner of the Notes Inspector, you will be able to toggle the visibility of the sidebar from the current arboard.

If you want to change the visibility of the sidebar from the entire document, keep the cursor over this icon without clicking it and a dropdown will appear with those options.

You can also manage the visibility of the sidebar by using the following commands:

PluginsNotebookSidebar VisibilityToggle Currrent SidebarPluginsNotebookSidebar VisibilityShow All Comments from DocumentPluginsNotebookSidebar VisibilityHide All Comments from Document

Plugin Styles

There are several styles that can be applied to the sidebar. The default style is light, and it can be change to dark, blue, orange, purple, yellow or a customized one.

To change it you can either use the selector within the settings panel or use one of this commands:

PluginsNotebookSidebar StyleDarkPluginsNotebookSidebar StyleBluePluginsNotebookSidebar StyleOrangePluginsNotebookSidebar StylePurplePluginsNotebookSidebar StyleYellowPluginsNotebookSidebar StyleCustom

Exporting the annotations

Since all the annotations are built using regular sketch layers and are part of the original artboard, whenever the notes are visible, they will be included in the final exported document.

If you use the export panel, you will be able to select which comments to include in the export process and what format should be used for the final document.

You can access the export panel by using the button with a window and an arrow at the top right corner of the Notes inspector or use the following command:

PluginsNotebookExportShow Export Panel

There are also a few predefined configurations that will allow you to quickly export your annotated document in different formats. They can be accessed by using this commands:

PluginsNotebookExportExport Everything to PDFPluginsNotebookExportExport Commented Artboards to PDFPluginsNotebookExportExport All Comments to TXT FilePluginsNotebookExportExport All Comments to JSON File

Settings Panel

Users of the premium version have access to the Settings Panel, which allows to customize every aspect of the plugin and configure the settings available:

Indicators Color & Shape

By default, all indicators will be green and with an oval shape. This can be easily changed by using the settings panel.

If you wish to change the color, use the first selector of this panel to indicate that you want to use a “Custom” theme and then use the correspondant input to change the indicator color. You should use an hexadecimal value or use the color picker by clicking the square with the color sample.

To change the shape of the indicator, use the selector located a few rows below, in the group “Indicators Layout”.

This selector will allow you to choose between this shapes: oval, rectangle, rounded rectangle, comment shape and custom shape. By default they look like this:

If you choose “custom shape”, remember that afterwards you wont be able to change the size, color or shape of the indicator using the panel and that you will have to change the indicator symbol manually. To do so, head to the Symbols Page and locate the symbol “[nb] indicator”, then make the desired changes and update the comments.

Sidebar Components

The components that form the sidebar are: Header, Project, Date, Author, Screen Name and Comments. You can choose to hide everything but the comments.

To selecct which component you want to make visible, use the inspector panel and towards the lower part you will find a set of check boxes that will allow you to select the ones you want to use on the sidebar.

Custom Keyboard Shortcuts

You can asign your own keyboard shortcuts to any command in the plugin. To do so, go to the Apple Menu at the top left corner of your screen and follow this path: (Apple Menu)System PreferencesKeyboardShortcuts Tab

Once you are in the correct tab of this panel, you will see a list on the right. From that list select the item "App Shortcuts". When selected, this item will show a list of the current custom shortcuts by app on the right panel.

Below the right panel, near the bottom left corner you will see a plus icon. Click it and you will be presented with a menu to choose the application, the menu command title and the desired shortcut. Then follow this steps:

  1. Click Application selector, an choose Sketch from the menu (if it doesn't appear, click "other" and locate it)
  2. In the field "Menu Title" enter the command you want to asssign a shortcut. Example: if you want to assign a shortcut for the command "Plugins > Notebook > Delete > Delete All Comments from Current Artboard", you will have to enter in this field the last bit of the command: "Delete All Comments from Current Artboard".
  3. Then click in the field "Shortcut" and press the letter combination that you want to assign to this command.

Once all fields are filled in, click add and you will be able to use the shortcut while using Sketch.

This is not a plugin functionality but rather a Mac OS one, so this feature can be used with any command in any program. i.e. you can assign shortcuts to any sketch command on the top bar, be it a native functionallity or another one from a plugin.

[notebook] 3.0

Communicating design made easy: Sketch plugin to manage functional documentation, specs and annotations.

Download Now See how it works

Features
[notebook] lite

Minimum version with
basic features included

9.99€/once

Buy Notebook Lite
Add, Edit, Delete and Reset Comments Included
Automatic Indicator Repositioning Included
Comment Reorder and Renumbering Included
Copy & Paste CommentsNot Included
Batch Sidebar VisibilityNot Included
Customizable Sidebar StylesNot Included
Notes InspectorNot Included
Sidebar Style PresetsNot Included
Keyword ReplacementNot Included
Updates (Plugin Fixes)Not Included
Upgrades (Future Features)Not Included
Settings PanelNot Included
Fully Customizable SidebarNot Included
PDF, JSON & TXT ExportNot Included
Personal SupportNot Included
Lifetime Updates & UpgradesNot Included
Features
[notebook] pro

All pro features plus
upgrades and updates

14.99€/once

Buy Notebook Pro
Add, Edit, Delete and Reset Comments Included
Automatic Indicator Repositioning Included
Comment Reorder and Renumbering Included
Copy & Paste Comments Included
Batch Sidebar Visibility Included
Customizable Sidebar Styles Included
Notes Inspector Included
Sidebar Style Presets Included
Keyword Replacement Included
Updates (Plugin Fixes) Included
Upgrades (Future Features)Not Included
Settings PanelNot Included
Fully Customizable SidebarNot Included
PDF, JSON & TXT ExportNot Included
Personal SupportNot Included
Lifetime Updates & UpgradesNot Included
Features
[notebook] premium

All features, upgrades, updates
and personal support

39.99€/year

Buy Notebook Premium
Add, Edit, Delete and Reset Comments Included
Automatic Indicator Repositioning Included
Comment Reorder and Renumbering Included
Copy & Paste Comments Included
Batch Sidebar Visibility Included
Customizable Sidebar Styles Included
Notes Inspector Included
Sidebar Style Presets Included
Keyword Replacement Included
Updates (Plugin Fixes) Included
Upgrades (Future Features) Included
Settings Panel Included
Fully Customizable Sidebar Included
PDF, JSON & TXT Export Included
Personal Support Included
Lifetime Updates & Upgrades Included

Industry-leading companies already using Sketch Notebook to annotate their designs

Custom Builds & Developments

We can work together in a customised version of Notebook (or any kind of plugin) tailored to your specific needs. Drop us a line and we will discuss how we can improve your workflow and productivity.

Request Info

If you’re creating design docs in Sketch, you need this.

Ale Muñoz. Design hacker @ Bohemian Coding

Notebook plugin for Sketch is the perfect way to create sidebar comments.

Jean-Marc Denis. Product design manager @ Facebook Messenger

A handy tool for easily managing sidebar comments.

Jason São Bento. Lead mobile UX/UI designer @ Google Fiber

Notebook plugin lets you annotate your Sketch files. Looks helpful.

Khoi Vinh. Principal designer @ Adobe.

Explore the features

Discover how to improve your communication workflow with Sketch Notebook Plugin

  • Add, Edit, Delete and Reset Comments

    Manage all kind of notes in your sketch files. Delete them by selecting the commented layer or the comment itself. Notes are deleted automatically when the commented layer is removed.

    Demo
  • Automatic Indicator Repositioning

    Comment indicators will be automatically relocated every time you change your sketch file.

    Demo
  • Comment Reorder and Renumbering

    Comments will reorder, realign and renumber automatically when you change them.

    Demo
  • Copy & Paste Comments

    Easily copy paste comments betwen layers and documents.

    Demo
  • Batch Sidebar Visibility

    Easily toggle the visibility of the comments, by artboard, page or document.

    Demo
  • Customizable Sidebar Styles

    Customize the look & feel of your comments by editing its shared styles.

    Demo
  • Notes Inspector

    Native notes inspector that it's updated automatically when changing the selected layer.

    Demo
  • Sidebar Style Presets

    Beside the customizable styles, you can also use one of the 3 presets available: dark, bright and yellow.

    Demo
  • Keyword Replacement

    Easily get values from the selected layer: its name, x & y position, width, height, fill color, border color and width, font family, font weight, font size, line height, and font color.

    Demo
  • Updates (Plugin Fixes)

    Get plugin updates every time the Sketch API changes.

  • Upgrades (Future Features)

    Get the latest [notebook] features.

  • Settings Panel

    Change the preferences of your comments with ease using the settings panel: style selection, sidebar layout (width, margins and paddings) & indicator dimensions, offset and position.

    Demo
  • Fully Customizable Sidebar

    Build your sidebar as you want by selecting which modules you want to include. From a plain sidebar to one with a header, metadata, screen name and comments.

    Demo
  • PDF, JSON & TXT Export

    Easily export your comments in PDF and JSON format.

    Demo
  • Personal Support

    Get personal support by us anytime you need help or counseling with anything related with the plugin.

  • Lifetime Updates & Upgrades

    false


If you want to dive deeper into the features, check the plugin's help module.

FAQs

Can I purchase multiple licenses?

Yes. They also have a variable discount depending on the volume. Follow this link for further information: Volume Licensing

Can I include the notes in my exported document?

Sure. The annotations are made with native Sketch layers. Just make sure that the notes are visible when you are exporting and they will appear in the final doc.

How do I manage my Notebook Premium subscription?

Use the login button at the top of the page to access the Owl Tools dashboard. From there you can manage everything related to your subsccription.

Can I get a trial version of the plugin?

No, but if the plugin doesn't fit your needs drop us a line and we'll discuss a refund for your purchase.

Can I get the plugin for free if I'm a student?

Contact us on info (at) owl.tools using your student email account and you'll get a version with basic features.

How can I upgrade from my previous Notebook Plugin version?

If you downloaded the plugin recently, contact us on info (at) owl.tools and we'll send you a redemption code. Remember that free upgrades are only available to premium users.

Is it possible to develop a custom version of this plugin?

Yes. Contact us on info (at) owl.tools and lets discuss how we can work together to improve your productivity: corporate styles, advanced features, workflow integrations... You can also make inquiries about new plugin developments.

What can I do if the plugin stops working after an Sketch update?

Don't panic. We usually release an update around the same date as Sketch does. You should receive an email with a download link shortly after that happens. If not, please make sure that you don't have any filter blocking our emails and that they're not sent directly to the spam folder or trash bin.

Why I didn't receive any link after my purchase?

Make sure that you are checking the email account that you entered when downloading the plugin and that there isn't any filter or proxy blocking our communications. If you don't get it please email us and we'll solve the issue for you.

Where can I read the EULA, Terms of Service and Privacy Policy?

You can find links to these documents at the footer.