When it is advisable to sketch out and share concepts visually, nothing beats a digital whiteboard. These on-line apps replicate the collaborative dynamic of a bodily whiteboard in an workplace assembly room however accommodate a hybrid workforce — and every board you create stays accessible and could be added to over time.Microsoft Whiteboard is the digital whiteboard app included with the corporate’s Microsoft 365 suite. You can draw on and add shapes, textual content, and different components to whiteboards you create within the app. If you utilize Whiteboard by your self, it’s mainly a easy drawing instrument. But when it’s used as a collaborative instrument, you and your co-workers can illustrate and map out concepts on a shared canvas.You can use Microsoft Whiteboard as an internet app via an internet browser, as a desktop app for Windows, or as a cell app for Android or iOS gadgets. If you’re utilizing a Mac, a Linux PC, or a Chromebook, you should use the online app via your most popular browser.You may also combine Whiteboard into Microsoft Teams, and that’s the place it reaches its full potential. You can create a Whiteboard tab in a Teams channel or chat that your crew can use as a shared workspace for synchronous or asynchronous collaboration. Or you may share a whiteboard throughout a Teams assembly for real-time brainstorming, then proceed to work with the whiteboard later.To use Microsoft Whiteboard, you have to have a Microsoft 365 account (private, enterprise, or college) or a free Microsoft account. Whiteboard gives extra options beneath a paid Microsoft 365 account, most of that are useful for collaboration. Also be aware that some options can be found solely to customers beneath Microsoft 365 business plans.In this information, we go over the fundamentals of utilizing Microsoft Whiteboard and supply a number of suggestions that can assist you get probably the most out of this whiteboard instrument. Getting startedLaunch the Windows, Android, or iOS Whiteboard app or open the Whiteboard net app in your browser. Eventually this house display will present all of the whiteboards you’ve created and that your colleagues have shared with you. If you and your crew haven’t created any but, you’ll see a principally empty web page. IDG
Just click on the large New Whiteboard button to begin a brand new whiteboard. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
Create a brand new whiteboard: Click or faucet the New Whiteboard button. You’ll be taken to a clean whiteboard with a Create panel at left that you should use so as to add numerous components to your whiteboard, equivalent to textual content, shapes, or sticky notes. An Inking toolbar close to the highest of the whiteboard allows you to decide from a wide range of pens and different instruments for drawing. IDG
A clean whiteboard. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
Add textual content to the whiteboard: Click the Text button on the Create panel, place your cursor on the whiteboard, and begin typing.Add different components: Click the suitable button and make a choice. To add a form, for example, click on Shapes and select from the form choices that seem. To add a picture, click on Images, select whether or not you need to add a picture saved in your system or search Bing Images, choose the picture you need, and click on Open or Insert.Draw on the whiteboard: Choose one of many pens from the toolbar on the prime of the whiteboard and begin drawing along with your mouse, touchpad, or finger on a touch-enabled system. IDG
You can add shapes or pictures to a whiteboard, or draw on it. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
Move a component: Select the merchandise you need to transfer, then drag-and-drop it wherever else in your whiteboard. If you’re in inking (drawing) mode, you may must first click on the Select icon on the toolbar on the left (a cursor arrow) earlier than you’re in a position to choose a component.Resize a component: Select the factor, then drag one of many circles that seem at its 4 corners.Delete a component: Select the factor, then click on the trash can icon that seems above it.Return to the house display: Click the house icon on the higher left. You can carry out most of those identical actions within the cell app. Click the + icon on the backside of the display to see the Create panel.That’s all it is advisable to know to get began utilizing Whiteboard. In the remainder of the story, we’ll cowl methods to get probably the most out of the app.Putting collectively your whiteboardDrawing on and including components to a whiteboard is simple — really easy that whiteboards can shortly develop into messy and exhausting to comply with. Here are some suggestions for designing a greater whiteboard.1. Use sticky notes for textual contentIf it is advisable to add loads of textual content (for instance, detailed info to clarify a picture in your whiteboard), use sticky notes. On the Create toolbar, click on Notes, and on the pane that seems, select a coloration from the choices within the “Notes” part.A sticky be aware seems as a sq. card in your whiteboard; inside it, you may sort in textual content. You can change the textual content model (daring, italic, underline) and the background coloration of the be aware. IDG
Sticky notes are a good way to incorporate and spotlight textual content in your whiteboard. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
You can transfer or resize a be aware identical to every other factor on the whiteboard. The dimension of the textual content contained in the be aware mechanically will get larger or smaller as you resize the be aware.Compared to including textual content as a component straight in your whiteboard, a sticky be aware is extra seen and extra versatile and makes it simpler to handle plenty of textual content. As a common rule, including textual content as a component straight on the whiteboard works finest once you want a headline or only a snippet of textual content to determine one thing very briefly.2. Use a be aware grid for much more textual contentWhen it is advisable to add much more info to your whiteboard, use a be aware grid. This is a gaggle of sticky notes locked collectively in a grid structure. Each sticky be aware inside a be aware grid could be edited and manipulated like a daily sticky be aware, equivalent to formatting its textual content and altering its background coloration. IDG
Note grids provide help to arrange massive quantities of textual content. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
On the Create toolbar, click on Notes, and on the pane that seems, select a coloration from the choices within the “Note grids” part. (In the cell app, click on the + icon on the decrease proper and click on Note Grid on the Create panel.) Click Add title on the higher left of the be aware grid, after which sort in a title for the be aware grid. To add one other sticky be aware to a be aware grid, click on Add Note on the higher proper of the grid. An further, clean be aware will seem contained in the be aware grid.You can transfer or resize a be aware grid identical to every other factor in your whiteboard. As you resize a be aware grid, the sizes of all of the sticky notes inside it alter accordingly.You can pull any sticky be aware out from inside a be aware grid: Select the be aware, then drag it out of the grid and onto one other space of the whiteboard. You may also do the reverse: Drag a sticky be aware over a be aware grid, and it is going to be added to the grid’s group of notes.3. Add multimedia to your whiteboard — judiciouslyWhiteboard allows you to add a number of multimedia and informational components, together with pictures, pages from a PDF, slides from a PowerPoint presentation, hyperlinks to information or net pages, and embedded movies from YouTube or different areas. You may even embed Microsoft Loop parts created in Outlook and Teams chat.It’s pretty apparent how you can add pictures, hyperlinks, and movies — simply click on on these icons on the Create panel and comply with the directions that seem. To embed a Loop part, copy it in Outlook or Teams, then right-click in your whiteboard the place you need to embed the Loop part and choose Paste. To add a web page from a PDF or PowerPoint file, choose Documents from the Create panel, navigate to the file you need, click on Select, choose the web page(s) or slide(s) you need to add, and click on Insert.Like different components in your whiteboard, you may transfer and resize all these components on it. IDG
Embedding multimedia components on a whiteboard could be helpful, however don’t go overboard. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
We recommend exercising restraint, although — solely embody these media- and information-rich components once they’re actually helpful, and hold the variety of them in your whiteboard to a minimal. A whiteboard ought to convey concepts in a easy means that’s simple to soak up shortly, primarily via primary drawings, shapes, and textual content. Keep in thoughts that your colleagues might view your whiteboard on the smaller screens of laptops, smartphones, or tablets.4. Start with a templateStaring at a clean whiteboard could be daunting. What’s the very first thing you need to placed on it? To provide help to kickstart issues, Microsoft Whiteboard gives greater than 60 templates grouped into classes equivalent to “Brainstorming,” “Design and research,” and “Project planning.” To flick through the accessible templates, click on Templates on the Create panel, then choose a class on the pane that seems.Every template reveals a useful description of what it’s designed for once you hover over it. For instance, beneath “Design and research,” the templates “Affinity diagram,” “Kano model,” and “Storyboarding” can be utilized to arrange information and concepts relating to buyer suggestions. IDG
Using a template could be the important thing to a well-organized whiteboard suited to a specific goal. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
To use a template, choose it from the left pane and drag it onto your whiteboard. It’s added as a personalized be aware grid to your whiteboard. You’ll need to resize it a lot bigger. Inside this grid, there will likely be clean sticky notes and textual content containers that you just’ll fill in with your individual textual content.Sharing your whiteboardLike a bodily whiteboard in an workplace, digital whiteboards are meant for crew collaboration. Once you’ve arrange a whiteboard, you’ll need to share it along with your co-workers to allow them to contribute to it.5. Share your whiteboard from the Whiteboard appWith the whiteboard open within the net app or Windows app, click on Share on the higher proper. In the cell app, open the whiteboard, faucet the three-dot icon on the higher proper, and choose Share.If you’re utilizing Whiteboard from a private Microsoft account (whether or not free or beneath a private Microsoft 365 subscription): A panel opens on the fitting. Click the Share hyperlink swap after which Copy hyperlink. A hyperlink to your whiteboard will likely be copied to your PC’s clipboard. You can paste this hyperlink inside an e mail or different message and ship it to others. IDG
Sharing a whiteboard from a private account. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
As lengthy because the individual clicking this hyperlink has a Microsoft account, they will view your whiteboard via an internet browser or utilizing the Whiteboard Windows app or cell app. And they are going to be capable of edit it — so bear in mind that no matter adjustments one other individual makes to your whiteboard, you’ll see them once you entry the whiteboard with your individual account. (If you need to share your whiteboard however don’t need others to have the ability to alter it, see the directions beneath for exporting it as a picture.)If you’re utilizing Whiteboard from a piece or college Microsoft 365 account: When you click on Share, a “Share…” panel pops up over your whiteboard. IDG
Inviting co-workers to collaborate on a whiteboard. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
Enter the names, group, or e mail addresses of people that you need to collaborate in your whiteboard. By default, solely folks in your group will be capable of entry your whiteboard, and so they’ll be capable of make adjustments to it. To change this, click on the pencil icon; from the small panel that opens, click on Can view — this lets folks see however not make adjustments to the whiteboard (though this moderately defeats the collaborative goal of a whiteboard).You can optionally sort in a message for the hyperlink recipients. Then click on Send. They will obtain an e mail with the hyperlink to your whiteboard.Alternatively, you may click on Copy hyperlink. A hyperlink to your whiteboard will likely be copied to your PC’s clipboard. You can paste the hyperlink inside an e mail or different message and ship it to others.In addition to sharing whiteboards from the Whiteboard app, you may share and collaborate on them in Teams channels, chats, conferences, and 1:1 calls. These strategies are coated beneath.6. Export your whiteboard as a pictureIf you need to share your whiteboard exterior your group, you may export your whole whiteboard as a picture file. Those who view it will be unable to edit it. This can also be a superb choice when you’ve got a private Microsoft account and need to share your whiteboard with out letting others make adjustments to it.With your whiteboard open, click on the gear icon on the higher proper. On the menu that opens, click on Export picture. On the following panel, choose Standard decision or High decision, then click on Export. A screenshot of your whole whiteboard will likely be created in PNG format and saved to your PC or cell system.Next web page: Tips for collaborating, utilizing Whiteboard in Teams, extra →