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How to Set Up a Digital Planner in GoodNotes (Step-by-Step Guide)

· Alyssa Miller

If you've just downloaded a digital planner and you're staring at a PDF wondering what to do next — you're in the right place. GoodNotes is one of the most popular apps for using digital planners, and getting set up takes less than five minutes once you know the steps.

What You Need Before You Start

  • An iPad (any generation) with Apple Pencil support
  • GoodNotes 5 or GoodNotes 6 (available on the App Store)
  • A hyperlinked PDF planner — like our Core Collection Bundle, which includes undated weekly, daily, and monthly templates

Step 1: Download Your Planner PDF

After purchasing, download your planner PDF to your iPad's Files app. Most digital planners are delivered as a PDF with internal hyperlinks that let you tap to navigate between sections — no scrolling required.

Step 2: Import into GoodNotes

  1. Open GoodNotes and tap the + button to create a new document.
  2. Select Import and navigate to your PDF in the Files app.
  3. Tap the file to import it. GoodNotes will open it as a new notebook.

Step 3: Enable Hyperlinks

In GoodNotes, hyperlinks in PDFs work automatically — just tap any linked tab or button in your planner to jump to that section. Make sure you're in Reading Mode (the hand tool) rather than writing mode when navigating.

Step 4: Set Up Your Writing Tools

Switch to the Pen tool to start writing. For a clean, journal-like feel, try a 0.5mm fine-tip pen with medium opacity. You can also type using the text tool if you prefer a printed look.

Step 5: Customize Your Layout

Many digital planners include optional covers, habit trackers, and goal pages. Take a few minutes to explore all the pages in your planner before your first week — knowing what's available helps you build a routine that sticks.

Tips for Staying Consistent

  • Set a weekly review ritual. Every Sunday, spend 10 minutes reviewing the past week and planning ahead.
  • Use the daily page every morning. Even just 5 minutes of planning sets a productive tone.
  • Pin GoodNotes to your dock so your planner is always one tap away.

Ready to Start Planning?

Our Core Collection Bundle is designed for exactly this workflow — calm layouts, thoughtful structure, and full hyperlink navigation built in. It works beautifully in GoodNotes, Notability, and any PDF annotation app.