Editing
Text and annotations
Every InnoShot annotation tool and when to use it, with styling options, numbered markers for step-by-step guides, and callouts and speech bubbles.
Updated
Annotations turn a plain screenshot into an explanation: an arrow says "click here", a box says "this part", a number says "do this second". Each annotation is its own layer, so you can move, restyle or delete it at any time.
Annotation tools
| Tool | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Pen | Thin freehand marks, such as quickly circling something |
| Marker | Broader freehand strokes |
| Highlighter | Marking text in the screenshot, like a highlighter pen on paper |
| Line | Separating areas or connecting two points |
| Arrow | Pointing at a button, link or value |
| Curved arrow | Pointing around other content, or showing movement from one place to another |
| Rectangle and rounded rectangle | Framing a button, field or panel |
| Ellipse or circle | Drawing attention to an icon or a small area |
| Text | Labels, short instructions and titles |
| Numbered markers | Marking the steps of a procedure in order |
| Magnifier | Showing a small detail enlarged, such as a tiny icon or a line of fine print |
| Callout | A text label that points at a specific spot |
| Speech bubble | A friendly, conversational note, such as in a tutorial or a social post |
| Underline | Marking a word or phrase in the screenshot |
| Strikethrough | Showing that text is removed, wrong or out of date |
Styling options
Select an annotation and its options appear in the inspector on the right. Depending on the tool, you can set:
- Color, width and opacity of strokes
- Arrowheads on lines and arrows
- Font, size and alignment of text
- Fill and outline of shapes and labels
- Shadow, which helps an annotation stand out on a busy screenshot
The fonts ship inside the extension, so text looks the same whether or not you are online.
Numbered markers for step-by-step guides
Numbered markers are the quickest way to turn one screenshot into a set of instructions.
- Capture the screen that the steps take place on.
- Place a numbered marker on each control, in the order the reader should use them.
- Give all the markers the same color and size so they read as one set.
- In your document, write steps that match the numbers: "1. Open the menu", "2. Choose the option", and so on.
To make the steps even clearer, combine markers with a spotlight that dims everything except the controls involved.
Callouts and speech bubbles
A callout pairs text with a pointer, so the explanation sits next to the thing it describes. Use callouts when a marker number alone is not enough, for example to name a setting or explain what a value means.
Speech bubbles suit a lighter tone, such as onboarding guides, tutorials and social posts.
Annotations are not limited to the screenshot area. When you place a capture on a background, you can put callouts and speech bubbles in the margin around it and point them in, which keeps the screenshot itself uncluttered.
Tips for clear annotations
- Use a few annotations rather than many. If everything is highlighted, nothing stands out.
- Stick to one or two colors that contrast with the screenshot.
- The magnifier never shows redacted pixels, so a magnified area cannot reveal something you have redacted.
- Highlighting is not hiding. To cover sensitive information, use redaction, not a filled shape.
Related
Still stuck? See troubleshooting or contact us.