How to use sticky notes on a Mac
A Mac includes Stickies, an app that keeps notes, lists and pictures as sticky notes on your desktop. In Stickies, choose File, then New Note, and type. Apple’s guide says your content is saved automatically. You see the notes whenever the Stickies app is open.
Make a note
- Open the Stickies app.
- Choose File, then New Note.
- Type in the note. Apple says what you type is saved automatically, so there is no save step.
Apple adds that when a note is collapsed, its first line shows in the title bar. Double click the title bar to collapse or expand a note.
Change how it looks
Apple’s guide lists these:
- Color. Use the Color menu to change the note’s color.
- Font. Use the Font menu to change the text.
- Translucent. In the Window menu, choose Translucent to see through the note.
- Float on Top. In the Window menu, choose Float on Top to keep the note above other windows.
- Use as Default. In the Window menu, choose Use as Default to use the current note’s look for new notes.
Add a picture or PDF
Apple says you can drag a file into a note to add a picture or PDF, and use Markup tools to crop, rotate or draw on it.
Make a list
Apple says to press Option and Tab to start a list, press Return after each item, and press Return twice at the end to go back to a normal paragraph.
When the app is closed
Apple’s guide says you see the notes whenever Stickies is open. When it is closed, the notes do not appear on the desktop. To keep them visible, leave Stickies running.
Move notes into Notes
Apple says File, then Export All to Notes, moves all your notes into the Notes app, sorted into folders by color. The notes stay in Stickies too.
Stickies or Quick Note
- Stickies keeps several visible notes on your desktop. Good for a few reminders you want to see all day.
- Quick Note is part of the Notes app, opens from the Fn or Globe and Q shortcut or the bottom right hot corner, and files each note in the Quick Notes folder. See how to use Quick Note.
What neither does
Neither Apple tool lives in the notch. If you want one small scratchpad that opens when you hover the notch, NotchStar’s Quick Notes is a single plain text note. It has no colors, no list of notes and no sync.
Where the notes live
Apple’s guide covers using the notes, not their file location, so this page does not give one. For Apple’s other note tool, see where Quick Notes are saved and the Quick Note shortcut.
