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Add items to a Whiteboard

Transform your blank canvas into a flow chart, collaborative brainstorming session, or mind map using the Whiteboard item menu.

Try Whiteboarding with a stylus or on a tablet!

AddItemsToWhiteboardIllustration.png

 

Whiteboards availability and limits vary by plan and user role. Learn more

Add and customize items

To add an item to your Whiteboard and customize it, do the following:

  1. From the main menu at the bottom of the Whiteboard, click an item to select it. 
    • The item's style menu opens. From the item's menu, you can select options like size, color, or line weight. You can also do this later using the item's floating toolbar. 
  2. To add the item to the canvas, click on the canvas.  
    • Some items are added differently. Take a look at the table, below, for more details.

The main menu and the items' floating toolbar will get your Whiteboard started. This article also covers the other menus and tools you'll use to build and perfect your Whiteboard. 

Trying to avoid eye strain? Whiteboard in dark mode by pressing Com + /.

The following table details how to add and begin customizing items. First, you'll need to learn how to use the Select item tool and open a style menu:

  • To customize the item, you must use the Select item tool. At the bottom of the Whiteboard on the left of the item menu, click the Select item tool. Or press the keyboard shortcut V.
  • Click the item to open its floating style menu.
Main menu items and keyboard shortcuts Function

Add the item to your Whiteboard and customize it using the Select item tool

Click the item to see the floating toolbar options

Task

Shift + T

Add tasks to your Whiteboard and edit them without leaving the canvas.

Tasks have the same functionality as the other Whiteboard items, you can duplicate, connect, and draw on them!

 

In the Tasks modal, search for a task by name, ID, or URL, or browse recently viewed tasks.

To add: Click the task's name. 

Edit the task: You can edit task details like title or assignee by clicking that part of the task.

Open the task's Space, Folder, or List: In the breadcrumb in the upper-left corner, click the name of the Space, Folder, or List.

 

View: Click to open the task.

 

Docs

Shift + T

Add Docs to your Whiteboard and write without leaving the canvas. 

Docs have the same functionality as the other Whiteboard items, you can duplicate, connect, and draw on them!

 

After clicking the Task icon, select the Docs tab.

In the Docs modal, type to search for a Doc, or browse recently viewed Docs. 

To add: Click the Doc's name. 

Edit the Doc: The Doc is fully editable.

Open the Doc's location:

  • In the upper-left corner click the first breadcrumb.
  • If the breadcrumb is All Docs, Docs Hub will open. 

 

Draw

D 

 

Freehand draw and highlight in multiple line widths and colors.

Quickly erase single or multiple items. 

Use a laser to point out details while collaborating or presenting.

Draw: Draw has the following options:

  • Line width: Click the Draw tool to select a line width. 
  • Color: Select a line color.
  • Line style: Select one of the following line styles:
    • Drawn: Hand-drawn line.
    • Dashed: Dashed line. 
    • Dotted: Dotted line. 
    • Solid: Solid line.

Highlighter: Highlighter has the following options:

  • Line width: Click the Draw tool to select a line width. 
  • Color: Select a line color.

To use draw or highlighter: Click anywhere on the canvas and drag. 

To use the eraser: Select the eraser and click on a line. Or click and drag to erase anything the cursor touches.

To use the laser: Select the laser and a color. Click and drag.

 

Shapes

S 

Select from a variety of shapes and colors.

Quickly create flow charts by duplicating and connecting shapes.

Select a font size, shape, color, type, text, and alignment options.

There are four fill styles. When you select a color, you'll see the last fill style chosen. You can change this in the floating toolbar. 

To add: Click anywhere on the canvas.

To duplicate and connect: 

  1. Click the shape.
  2. A bounding box displays. 
  3. Hover over a blue dot outside the shape.
  4. The dot becomes a plus icon.
    Screenshot of two green diamond shapes. The left diamond has a green arrow pointing to the right diamond. The right shape has a blue bounding box. Outside the box, there's a blue dot on each of the four sides. A cursor is on one of the dots. The dot becomes a plus icon when highlighted.
  5. Click the plus icon. 

To add text: When you first add a Shape, a cursor displays and you can just start typing. 

To add text to an existing Shape, double-click the Shape to display the cursor. 

Convert to shape: Select a different shape.

Font size: Select a different font size. 

Font style: Select a different font style.

Arrange text: Select one of the following alignment options:

  • Left: Align left. 
  • Vertically: Arrange vertically. 
  • Right: Align right. 
  • Top: Align to the top. 
  • Horizontally: Arrange horizontally.
  • Bottom: Align to the bottom. 

Color: Select a different color. 

Fill: Select one of the following fill styles:

  • None: No fill. The outline of the shape is the last selected color. 
  • Solid: Fully filled. 
  • Semi: Partially filled. 
  • Pattern: Filled with a dot pattern. 

Line style: Select one of the following border styles:

  • Drawn: Hand-drawn line.
  • Dashed: Dashed line. 
  • Dotted: Dotted line. 
  • Solid: Solid line.

Arrow

A 

Use arrows to connect any items and represent relationships. 

Add arrows in various sizes and colors, with or without text.

To quickly add straight, editable line segments to your canvas:

  1. Press Land
    drag the cursor. 
  2. Click the line.
  3. Small circles display on the line.
    • Drag from a circle on either end to lengthen or move the start or end point.
    • Drag from the middle circle to create an angle.

Select a start and end point, color, line style, and font.  

To add: Click anywhere on the canvas and drag. 

To move the arrow ends, lengthen, or create a curve:

  1. Click the arrow.
  2. Small circles display on the arrow.
    • Drag from a circle on either end to lengthen or move the start or end point.
    • Drag from the middle circle to create a curve.
      AddItemsToWhiteboardCurveArrow.png

To add text: Double-click the arrow and start typing. 

Font size and line weight: Select a small, medium, large, or extra-large font and line weight. 

Font style: Select a different font style.

Start point: Select a different start point.

End point: Select a different end point.

Color: Select a different line color.

Line style: Select one of the following line styles:

  • Drawn: Hand-drawn line.
  • Dashed: Dashed line. 
  • Dotted: Dotted line. 
  • Solid: Solid line.

Sticky Note

N

Add sticky notes in a range of colors.

Select a font size, shape, color, outline type, text, and alignment options.

To add: Click anywhere on the canvas.

To duplicate and connect: 

  1. Click the note.
  2. A bounding box displays.
  3. Hover over a blue dot outside the bounding box.
  4. The dot becomes a plus icon.
  5. Click the plus icon.

To add text: When you first add a Sticky Note, a cursor displays and you can just start typing. 

To add text to an existing Sticky Note, double-click the Note to display the cursor. 

Convert to shape: Select a different shape

Font size: Select a different font size. 

Font style: Select a different font style.

Arrange text: Select one of the following alignment options:

  • Left: Align left. 
  • Vertically: Arrange vertically. 
  • Right: Align right. 
  • Top: Align to the top. 
  • Horizontally: Arrange horizontally.
  • Bottom: Align to the bottom. 

Color: Select a different color.

Text

T

 

Add a text box to create editable blocks of text for descriptions, notes, or labels. 

Or paste text onto your Whiteboard to automatically add a text box!

Select a font size, style, color, and alignment.

To add: Click anywhere on the canvas. Start typing.

Convert to shape: Select a different shape

Font size: Select a different font size. 

Font style: Select a different font style.

Align text: Select one of the following alignment options:

  • Left: Align left. 
  • Center: Align in the center. 
  • Right: Align right. 

 

Frame

F

Frame is a blank canvas where you can sketch out ideas.

Quickly communicate your ideas as you collaborate with your team!

 

To add: Click anywhere on the canvas. 

To use From the main menu, select any of the following tools and drag them into or out of the frame:

  • Draw
  • Shapes
  • Arrow
  • Sticky Note
  • Text

Resize: To resize a frame drag its border. 

Delete: Deleting a frame deletes the elements inside of it.

To delete the frame and keep the elements:

  1. Select the frame. 
  2. Press Cmd + Shift + F.

Name: To give the frame a title, in the upper-left corner click Frame. Then type a name. 

Image

U

 

Upload a JPG, PNG, or SVG image file.

You can use a drawing tool to annotate the image. 

To add: Select a file from your device. 

Drag and drop an image: You can also drag and drop a file onto the Whiteboard.

Crop: To crop the image:

  1. Double-click inside the image.
  2. Drag handles display at the image's edges.
  3. Use the double-arrow icon to drag the edge of the image. 
    Screenshot of an AI-generated image of an office highlighting the drag handles and the double-arrow icon.

Templates

Create or apply an existing Whiteboard template. 

 

  

AI images

Ask ClickUp AI to create images of anything! 

 To add: Type a specific description of the image you want AI to create. 

Crop: To crop the image:

  1. Double-click inside the image.
  2. Drag handles display at the image's edges.
  3. Use the double-arrow icon to drag the edge of the image. 

Undo

Cmd + Z

Undo the last action.

    

Redo

Cmd + Shift + Z

Redo the last undone action.

    

Move an item

To move a Whiteboard item:

  • At the bottom of the Whiteboard on the left of the main menu, click the Select item tool. Or press the keyboard shortcut V.
  • Move the item to drag it.
  • You can also use any Arrow key to move an item. 

Resize, reshape, and rotate an item

To resize, reshape, and rotate a Whiteboard item:

  1. Click the item to see the bounding box.
    • To resize or reshape an item: On any side of the bounding bounding box, click and drag.
    • To rotate an item: On any corner of the bounding box, click and drag side-to-side.AddItemsToWhiteboardRotate.png

Connect items with an arrow

Connect arrows to shapes to create dynamic connections. 

To connect shapes with an arrow:

  1. At the bottom of the Whiteboard from the main menu, click the Arrow icon.
  2. Place your cursor on top of the shape.
  3. Start dragging the arrow toward the shape you're connecting to. 
  4. When a dotted grey line displays at the arrow's end point, release it. The arrow automatically snaps to the shape's border with the end pointing to the center of the shape.
    AddItemsToWhiteboardArrowToCenter.png
    • To point to a different area of the shape: Slowly drag the end point towards an area of the connecting shape.
      AddItemsToWhiteboardArrowToDifferentArea.png
    • To touch the end point to the interior of a shape: Drag the end point while holding Cmd and release to connect. 
      AddItemsToWhiteboardArrowToInterior.png
    • To remove the connection: Drag the arrow to an empty part of the canvas. 

Move the canvas

To move the canvas:

  • At the bottom of the Whiteboard on the left of the item menu, click the Hand tool. Or press the keyboard shortcut H.
  • Drag the canvas. 
  • Or, hold the Space bar and any Arrow. 

Zoom

The Zoom menu in the lower-left corner of the canvas has the following features:

  • Minimap: Click the double-arrow icon to see every item on the canvas. The Minimap is great for navigating large or complex Whiteboards. 

Screenshot highlighting the double-arrow icon. Shows the minimap, which is a gray and white graphic of each item and its location on the canvas.

    • Jump to another location: On the Minimap double-click the area.
    • Adjust the visible canvas area: Click and hold the Minimap. Drag around the Minimap while watching the canvas until you see the area you want to view. 
  • Zoom out: Click the minus icon to zoom out. 
  • Percentage: The percent that you're zoomed to. 
  • Zoom in: Click the plus icon to zoom in. 

Create a task

You can create a task from a Shape, Sticky Note, or Text box!

To create a task:

  1. Type some text in the item. Or select an item with text. 
  2. Click the item to display the floating toolbar. 
  3. In the upper-right corner of the floating toolbar, select Task. 
  4. From the Convert to task modal, select a List.
    • You can click the note icon to set Custom Fields. 
    • If a Custom Field is required, a red badge displays on the note icon. 
      AddItemsToWhiteboardCreateTask.png
  5. Click Convert to task. 

Collaborate

The following collaboration menu is in the upper-right corner of all Whiteboards: 

Menu item Description

Cursor chat 

You can also right-click the canvas and select Cursor chat or use the keyboard shortcut keyboard shortcut/to open this feature. Ensure you're right-clicking the canvas and not an item. 

No need to get everyone on a call, cursor chat is great for a quick team collaboration! 

To use cursor chat:

  1. Click the chat icon.
  2. Without clicking again immediately start typing.
  3. Drag the cursor to any location on the canvas.  
    • Cursor chat will automatically disappear in a few seconds. It will disappear immediately if you click again.  
Profiles

The Profile of everyone who is currently viewing the canvas displays. You can't open a Profile from a Whiteboard. 
Share

Share this Whiteboard. 
Favorite

Add this Whiteboard to your Favorites for easy access.  
Fullscreen mode

View this Whiteboard in fullscreen.

Click the ellipsis ... to edit the following settings:

Menu item Description
Rename Enter a different Whiteboard name. 
Copy link Copy the Whiteboard link. 
Favorite

Add this Whiteboard to your Favorites for easy access.  
Templates Start your Whiteboard with a template. 
Preferences 

Show dot grid: On by default. Turn off to replace the grid with a plain background. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Cmd + `. 

When grid mode is activated, shapes automatically snap to the grid. You can deactivate snap to mode from the Preferences menu. 

Snap to grid: On by default. Turn off to stop snapping the item to the closest grid intersection. 

Edge scrolling: On by default. Click and drag your cursor to the edge of the screen to scroll to another part of the canvas. 

Turn off to stop the canvas from scrolling when an item is moved to the edges. 

Reduce motion: On by default.

Lock in current shape: Off by default.

Select when wrapped: Off by default.

Keyboard shortcuts

 

 

Display Whiteboards keyboard shortcuts for tools and preferences. 

Easter eggs! These keyboard shortcuts are hidden:
Change the fill or outline of a shape to white: In light mode, press Alt + T.
Set a shape's fill and outline to the same color: Press Alt + F.
Move to Move the Whiteboard to a different Workspace location. 
Export

Export as one of the following formats:

  • PNG
  • JPEG
  • SVG
  • WEBP
  • JSON
  • PDF

Transparent background: Select to export the file without a background. 
Archive Archive the Whiteboard to hide it. You can unarchive or access it at any time. 
Delete Send the Whiteboard to the Trash. You can restore a Whiteboard from the Trash for up to 30 days. 

Right-click item menu

Right-click an item to use the following tools:

Menu item Description
Copy link Copy the Whiteboard link. 
Lock / Unlock Lock the object to prevent it from being moved on the canvas. 
Arrange Flip the item horizontally or vertically. 
Reorder

When items overlap, you can choose their display order:

  • Send backward: Moves an item in front of all other items. 
  • Bring forward: Moves an item one layer above other items. 
  • Send to back: Moves an item to the bottom layer. For example, if three items overlap, the selected item moves behind the other two. 
  • Bring to front: Moves an item to the upper layer. For example, if three items overlap, the selected item moves in front of the other two. 
Copy

Copy the item. 

You can also right-click the canvas and select Copy. Ensure you're right-clicking the canvas and not an item. 
Paste

Paste the copied item onto the canvas. 

You can also right-click the canvas and select Paste. Ensure you're right-clicking the canvas and not an item. 
Duplicate Duplicate the item. 
Cut

Copy and delete the item to paste it in a different canvas location.

You can also right-click the canvas and select Cut. Ensure you're right-clicking the canvas and not an item.  
Delete

Delete the item. 

You can also right-click the canvas and select Delete. Ensure you're right-clicking the canvas and not an item. 
Copy as

Copy the item to paste it as one of the following formats:

  • PNG
  • SVG
  • JSON

Transparent background: Select to copy the file without a background. 

You can also right-click the canvas and select Copy as. Ensure you're right-clicking the canvas and not an item. 
Export as

Right-click on an item or grouped items to export only the item or group. 

Right-click on the canvas to export the entire Whiteboard.

Export the item as one of the following formats:

  • PNG
  • SVG
  • JSON

Transparent background: Select to copy the file without a background. 

You can also right-click the canvas and select Export. Ensure you're right-clicking the canvas and not an item. 

For more export options, click the ellipsis ... menu in the upper-right corner.
Select all

Select every item on the canvas. 

You can also right-click the canvas and select Select all. Ensure you're right-clicking the canvas and not an item. 

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