How to Use the Windows 10 Whiteboard App
Like the real thing without the smudge marks
Office workers across the globe have experienced stark changes to the way they work over the last 15 or so months. Almost overnight, theglobal pandemicforced employers to pivot to a remote workforce. And now that some people are returning to their offices while others continue to work remotely, new tools are needed to support flexible work arrangements.
Software companies have been steadily rolling out new and improved ways to collaborate remotely and in hybrid meeting situations. For example, Microsoft recently released an updated version of its Whiteboard app for Windows 10. It comes with a refreshed user interface and some new features. We’ll show you how to find and install the modernized Whiteboard app and give you a few tips for using it.
How to Get the New Whiteboard App
The new Whiteboard app is available through the Microsoft Store. If your organization has restricted access to the Store, talk to your IT team about getting access to the new Whiteboard app. If you do have access, visit theMicrosoft Storein a web browser and search forWhiteboard. Then, select the Microsoft Whiteboard app and follow the instructions to install it.
Alternatively, use the Windows search box. Select theAppstab and search forwhiteboard. SelectSearch for apps in the Microsoft Store, and the Store will launch in its window.
You’ll see the Microsoft Whiteboard app in the search results. SelectMicrosoft Whiteboard, and follow the steps to install the app on your Windows 10 machine.
If you’re not already logged into your Microsoft account, at some point during this process, you will see a prompt to sign in with either a free Microsoft account or aMicrosoft 365account.
How to Use the Whiteboard App
The first time you use Whiteboard, you’ll notice how, um,whiteit is.
The app itself has four main sections:
The first thing you’ll probably want to do is invite someone to collaborate with you. Select theInvite someoneicon and toggle on the web sharing link to create a link to this specific whiteboard. Then you can share that link with others.
If you are using a personal Microsoft account, you can share the generated link with other personal accounts. If you’re on an organizational account, you can share with other accounts in the same organization.
Youcannotuse Whiteboard to collaborate with someone from outside your organization. Personal Microsoft account users must use the installed app and not the browser version. Hopefully, Microsoft will make it easier to collaborate no matter which type of account you have.
The traditional whiteboard tools are always available via the toolbar at the bottom of the Whiteboard app.
You can select:
Right-click to access buttons toselect allandpaste. When you select text you’ve typed, you’ll get access to tools tocopy,paste,cut, anddelete. To adjust the text size for both text andsticky notes, resize the box by dragging the bottom-right corner.
If you selectImage menu, you can chooseLibrary image,Bing image, orCamera.
You can also insert documents likePDFsand Word orPowerPointfiles. You’ll be prompted to decide whether you want to insert the whole document or selected pages.
Hidden inside theInsert menuin the toolbar are templates—arguably the coolest feature of Microsoft Whiteboard. Here are some of the best templates you can choose from.
Not So Intuitive, But Useful
Microsoft Whiteboard isn’t the most intuitive of apps, and we encountered a few glitches while using it. Having said that, once you learn the ins and outs, you’ll be positioned to take advantage of all its features.
Maggie Marystone is a freelance technology writer, human rights worker, and storyteller based in Chicago.Read Maggie’s Full Bio
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