How to Use a Digital Planner in GoodNotes (Free Version Too)
A digital planner is just a PDF with clickable tabs. GoodNotes is one of the most popular apps for using one on an iPad, but a few settings decide whether the tabs work or whether you end up scrolling through hundreds of pages. Here's the short, low-effort setup.
Is GoodNotes free?
Yes, there is a free version, with limits. According to GoodNotes' pricing page (checked November 2026, US prices):
| Plan | What you get |
|---|---|
| Free | Up to 3 files, imports up to 5 MB, all the basic writing tools |
| Essential ($11.99/year) | Unlimited files and audio recording |
| Pro ($35.99/year) | Adds syncing across devices, sharing and AI features |
For a planner, the free version is often enough: a planner is one file, so it uses one of your three. The 5 MB import limit matters more. Very large planners with hundreds of image-heavy pages can go over it. (Our biggest planner file is about 4.4 MB, so it imports on the free plan.) Prices change and vary by country, so check the App Store before you pay.
How to set up a digital planner in GoodNotes
1. Save the PDF somewhere you can find it
Download the planner to your iPad. If it came as a ZIP file, open it in the Files app and tap it once to unzip. You'll usually get a few versions (light or dark, Monday or Sunday start). You only need one.
2. Import it as a new document
Open the PDF, tap the Share icon and choose GoodNotes. When it asks, pick Import as New Document.
Don't import it as a template. Templates are turned into blank backgrounds, and the clickable links are lost. This is the most common reason a planner "doesn't work".
3. Tap the tabs with your finger
Links respond to a finger tap. If tapping starts drawing instead, switch on read-only mode in the top toolbar, tap where you want to go, then switch it off again to write. Some people keep it on while browsing and only turn it off to write.
4. Find your start page
Most planners have a dashboard or "start here" page. Add it to GoodNotes' outline or bookmarks so you can always get back to it in one tap.
Small habits that make it easier to keep using
- Open to today, not to the beginning. Use the planner's month or week tabs to jump straight to where you are.
- Missed a week? Don't scroll back. Start from today. There's more on that in how to restart a planner after missing days.
- Pick one pen and two colors. Endless pen choices are a fun way to avoid the actual planning.
- Don't flatten or re-export the PDF. Some "export" options remove the links. If links stop working, import the original file again.
GoodNotes vs Notability for a digital planner
Both can hold a hyperlinked planner. GoodNotes' free plan allows 3 files with imports up to 5 MB; Notability's allows 5 notes; the cheapest paid plan of each costs $11.99 a year (US, November 2026). The full comparison, including devices, how links open in each and what about OneNote, is in GoodNotes vs Notability for digital planners. If you already use one of them, stay with it. Switching apps is a great way to spend an evening and not plan anything.
What about Android and other apps?
A hyperlinked PDF planner also works in other apps that support PDF links, such as Noteshelf, Zoom Notes and PDF Expert on iPad, and Xodo or Samsung Notes on Android tablets. The same rules apply: import it as a document, and tap links in reading or view mode.
Want a planner to try this with?
The free Starter Kit below is a small hyperlinked planner you can import in a minute. If you'd like the full version, the undated digital planner has no dates to fall behind on, and the 2027 digital planner has every day of the year two taps away. Both work in the free version of GoodNotes.
Questions people ask
Why don't the links work in my planner?
Usually one of three things: it was imported as a template, you're tapping with the pencil in writing mode, or the file was flattened when it was exported. Re-import the original PDF as a new document and tap with your finger in read-only mode.
Can I use one planner on my iPad and phone?
Yes, if your app syncs between devices. In GoodNotes that is part of the Pro plan; otherwise use the planner on one device.
Do I need an Apple Pencil?
No. A cheap stylus or your finger works. A pencil just makes handwriting neater.
This guide shares planning strategies, not medical advice. If ADHD symptoms are making daily life hard, a doctor or ADHD specialist can help. Disclaimer.