Use the Lasso Tool to select handwriting, images, text boxes, sticky notes, and other content on the page. After selecting content, you can move, resize, rotate, copy, delete, or edit it.
Select content with the Lasso Tool
1. Select the Lasso Tool from the Toolbar.
2. Draw a loop around the content you want to select.
To avoid selecting nearby content by accident, make sure the loop or frame only touches the object you want to select.
Tip: By default, the Lasso Tool uses a freehand selection. You can switch to a rectangular lasso if you prefer to drag diagonally and create a frame around the content.
Select content with Circle to Lasso
If you are writing with the Pen Tool, you can select content without switching tools by using Circle to Lasso.
- With the Pen Tool, draw a circle around the area you want to select.
- Lift your pen.
- Long press on the circle stroke with your pen.
- When the circle turns into a dotted line, it becomes a Lasso selection.
Manipulate selected content
After selecting content, you can move, align resize, rotate, or edit it.
Move and align selected content
- Select the content you want to move.
- Drag it to a new location.
- Tap outside the selection to apply the change.
Moving selected content brings up guidelines to help align it with other items on the page. Dashed lines indicate center alignment, and solid lines mark edge alignment - simply release the selection to snap it into place.
Resize, rotate, and edit selected objects
After selecting an object, use the handles around the selection to resize, rotate, or adjust it.
Drag a resize handle to resize the object.
Use the rotation control to rotate the selected object.
- When moving an object, control points are hidden temporarily so the page stays easier to read.
When resizing, the object resizes from the opposite side by default. Hold Option / Alt while resizing to scale the object from its center instead.
- For shapes, you can click a shape edge to enter shape edit mode directly.
Note: Resize behavior can vary by object type. Shapes and sticky notes resize freely by default, and you can hold Shift while resizing to keep their proportions. Images keep their aspect ratio by default, so you do not need to hold Shift when resizing them.
Use the Object Menu
Selecting content opens the Object Menu, which shows quick actions for the selected item. Open the More (...) menu to view more options and icon labels.
Available actions depend on the type of content you selected. Toggle through the different content tabs below:
General content
Depending on the selected object, you may see options to:
- Cut, Copy, Duplicate, or Delete the selection.
- Bring the selection to the front or send it to the back.
- Resize or rotate the selection.
- Change the color of editable content.
- Take a screenshot of the selected area.
- Create an element from the selection.
- Ask Goodnotes AI about the selection.
Handwriting
For handwritten content, you may also be able to:
- Convert handwriting to typed text or a math equation.
- Edit handwriting as typed text.
Images
For images, you may also be able to:
- Share or save the image.
- Crop the image.
Sticky Notes
For sticky notes, you may also be able to:
- Edit the text inside the sticky note.
- Collapse the sticky note.
- Hide or show the author name.
- Resolve a sticky note or comment thread.
Customize what the Lasso Tool selects
You can adjust the Lasso Tool settings to control how it selects content.
1. Select the Lasso Tool.
2. Tap the Lasso Tool again to open its settings.
3. Adjust any of the following options:
- Lasso Type: Choose between freehand or rectangular selection.
- Included in Selection: Choose which types of content the Lasso Tool can select.
- Disconnect Apple Pencil: Use your finger with the Lasso Tool. To reconnect Apple Pencil, start writing again.
For example, if you want to select handwriting placed over an image without selecting the image itself, adjust Included in Selection so the Lasso Tool only selects handwriting.