How to Insert Objects in Microsoft Whiteboard (Windows 11)

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This tutorial covers:

  1. How to Switch to Inking Mode With Click
  2. How to Switch to Inking Mode With Keyboard
  3. How to Insert an Ink Object
  4. How to Switch to the First Pen With Click
  5. How to Switch to the First Pen With Keyboard
  6. How to Switch to the Second Pen With Click
  7. How to Switch to the Second Pen With Keyboard
  8. How to Switch to the Third Pen With Click
  9. How to Switch to the Third Pen With Keyboard
  10. How to Change Pen Width 
  11. How to Change Pen Opacity
  12. How to Change Pen Opacity With Menu
  13. How to Change Pen Color
  14. How to Change to a Custom Pen Color
  15. How to Switch From Pen to Single Arrow Tip With Click
  16. How to Switch From Pen to Single Arrow Tip With Keyboard
  17. How to Switch From Pen to Double Arrow Tips With Click
  18. How to Switch From Pen to Double Arrow Tips With Keyboard
  19. How to Select the Highlighter With Click
  20. How to  Select the Highlighter With Keyboard
  21. How to Change the Highlighter Width
  22. How to Change Highlighter Color
  23. How to Change to a Custom Highlighter Color
  24. How to Select the Eraser With Click
  25. How to Select the Eraser With Keyboard
  26. How to Change Eraser Width
  27. How to Erase Entire Stroke
  28. How to Erase Partial Stroke
  29. How to Draw a Straight Line With a Ruler
  30. How to Draw a Straight Line With Keyboard
  31. How to Draw a Straight Line With Touch Screen
  32. How to Change an Ink Object to a Shape With Click
  33. How to Change an Ink Object to a Shape With Keyboard
  34. How to Insert a Sticky Note With Click
  35. How to Insert a Sticky Note With Right Click
  36. How to Insert a Sticky Note From a Note Grid
  37. How to Insert a Note Grid
  38. How to Insert a Reaction With Click
  39. How to Insert a Reaction into a Sticky Note
  40. How to Insert Text With Click
  41. How to Insert Text With Right Click
  42. How to Insert Shapes
  43. How to Undo With Click
  44. How to Undo With Keyboard
  45. How to Redo With Click
  46. How to Redo With Keyboard 

 

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 How to Switch to Inking Mode With Click

  • Step 1: First open a whiteboard. Go down to the bottom toolbar and click the "Inking" button.
The cursor clicks the "Inking" button in the bottom left of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window.



How to Switch to Inking Mode With Keyboard

  • Step 1: Open a whiteboard, and on the keyboard press Alt + W.
A graphic of the keyboard keys "Alt + W" appears in the center of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window.



How to Insert an Ink Object

A blue arrow points to the right on the canvas. Under the arrow, the cursor moves from the left to the right and draws a black line.



How to Switch to the First Pen With Click

A menu appears above the "Inking" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The cursor clicks the first pen button in the menu.



How to Switch to the First Pen With Keyboard

  • Step 1: First open a whiteboard, and on the keyboard press Alt + W + 1.
A graphic of the keyboard keys "Alt + W + 1" appears in the center of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window.



How to Switch to the Second Pen With Click

A menu appears above the "Inking" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The cursor clicks the second pen in the menu.



How to Switch to the Second Pen With Keyboard

  • Step 1: First open a whiteboard, and on the keyboard press Alt + W + 2.
A graphic of the keyboard keys "Alt + W + 2" appears in the center of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window.



How to Switch to the Third Pen With Click

A menu appears above the "Inking" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The cursor clicks the third pen in the menu.



How to Switch to the Third Pen With Keyboard

  • Step 1: First open a whiteboard and on the keyboard press Alt + W + 3.
A graphic of the keyboard keys "Alt + W + 3" appears in the center of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window.



How to Change Pen Width 

A menu appears above the "Inking" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The cursor double clicks the first pen in the menu.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click and drag the slider at the top.

The top image displays the cursor clicking and dragging the slider at the top of the menu that appears above the first pen button. The bottom image displays one thin black line and one thick black line in the center of the canvas.

 

 

How to Change Pen Opacity

A menu appears above the "Inking" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The cursor double clicks the first pen in the menu.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click and drag the second slider, or type a number in the field.
     
    In the top left image, the cursor clicks and drags the second slider in the menu, and in the top right image, the a blue rectangle surrounds the text field to the right of the opacity slider. The bottom image displays a solid black line and a grey line in the center of the canvas.

 

 

How to Change Pen Opacity With Menu

A menu appears above the "Inking" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The cursor double clicks the second pen in the menu.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click the "More colors" button. 

A menu appears above the second pen button. The cursor clicks the "More options" button in the menu.

 

  • Step 3: In the window that opens, under "Spectrum" click and drag the second slider. Alternatively, click the "Grid" button and click and drag the slider.

In the top left image, the cursor clicks and drags the opacity slider under the "Spectrum" menu, and in the top right image the cursor clicks and drags the opacity slider under the "Grid" menu. The bottom image displays a red line and a pink line in the center of the canvas.

 

 

How to Change Pen Color

A menu appears above the "Inking" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The cursor double clicks the second pen in the menu.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click to select a color.
The top image displays a menu above the second pen button, and the cursor clicks a green color in the menu. The bottom image displays a black line and a green line in the center of the canvas.



How to Change to a Custom Pen Color

A menu appears above the "Inking" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The cursor double clicks the second pen in the menu.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click the "More colors" button.

A menu appears above the second pen button. The cursor clicks the "More options" button in the menu.

 

 

  • Step 3: In the window that opens, under "Spectrum" click and drag the first slider to browse different colors, and click inside the square to select a color. Alternatively, type a value in the "Hex" field.

The top left image displays the cursor clicking a color in the "Spectrum" menu, and the top right image displays the cursor in the "Hex" field in the "Spectrum" menu. The bottom image displays a black line and a blue line in the center of the canvas.

 

  • Alternatively, click the "Grid" button and click to select a color swatch.
The top left image displays the cursor clicking the "Grid" button at the top of the menu, and the top right image displays the cursor clicking one of the color swatches under the "Grid" menu. The bottom image displays a black line and a yellow line in the center of the canvas.



How to Switch From Pen to Single Arrow Tip With Click

A menu appears above the "Inking" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The cursor double clicks the second pen in the menu.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click the "Single arrow tip" button.

The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Single arrow tip" button in the menu above the second pen. The bottom image displays a red arrow pointing to the right in the canvas.

 

  • To switch back to the pen, click a pen and in the menu click the "No arrow" button.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "No arrow" button in the menu above the second pen. The bottom image displays a red line in the canvas.



How to Switch From Pen to Single Arrow Tip With Keyboard

  • Step 1: Open a whiteboard and on the keyboard press Alt + A. Press Alt + A to switch back to the pen.
The top image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Alt + A" in the center of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The bottom image displays a black arrow pointing to the right on the canvas.



How to Switch From Pen to Double Arrow Tips With Click

A menu appears above the "Inking" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The cursor double clicks the first pen in the menu.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click the "Double arrow tips" button. To switch back to the pen, click the pen and in the menu click the "No arrow" button.

The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Double arrow tips" button in the menu above the first pen. The bottom image displays a black double sided arrow pointing both left and right in the canvas.



How to Switch From Pen to Double Arrow Tips With Keyboard

  • Step 1: Open a whiteboard and on the keyboard press Alt + Shift + A. To switch back to the pen, press Alt + Shift + A again.
The top image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Alt + Shift + A" at the top of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The bottom image displays a black double sided arrow pointing to the left and right on the canvas.



How to Select the Highlighter With Click

The top image displays the cursor clicking the Highlighter button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The bottom image displays a yellow highlighter marking across the canvas.



How to Select the Highlighter With Keyboard

  • Step 1: Open a whiteboard and on the keyboard press Alt + I.
The top image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Alt + I" at the top of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The bottom image displays a yellow highlighter marking across the canvas.



How to Change the Highlighter Width

A menu appears above the "Inking" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The cursor double clicks the Highlighter button in the menu.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click and drag the slider at the top.
A menu appears above the Highlighter button. The cursor clicks and drags the slider at the top of the menu.



How to Change the Highlighter Color

A menu appears above the "Inking" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The cursor double clicks the Highlighter button in the menu.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click to select a color.
The top image displays the cursor clicking a green color in the menu above the Highlighter button. The bottom image displays a green highlighter marking above a yellow highlighter marking in the canvas.



How to Change to a Custom Highlighter Color

A menu appears above the "Inking" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window. The cursor double clicks the Highlighter button in the menu.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click the "More colors" button.

A menu appears above the Highlighter button, and the cursor clicks the "More colors" button in the menu.

 
  • Step 3: In the window that opens, under "Spectrum" click and drag the slider to browse different colors, then click inside the square to select a color. Alternatively type a value in the "Hex" field.

The top left image displays the cursor clicking a color under the "Spectrum" menu and the top right image displays the cursor inside the "Hex" field under the "Spectrum" menu. The bottom image displays the canvas with a green highlighter marking, a yellow highlighter marking, and an orange highlighter marking.

 

  • Alternatively, click the "Grid" button and click to select a color swatch.
The top left image displays the cursor clicking the "Grid" button in the menu, and the top right image displays the cursor clicking a color swatch under the "Grid" menu. The bottom image displays the canvas with a blue highlighter marking, a green highlighter marking, a yellow highlighter marking, and an orange highlighter marking.



How to Select the Eraser With Click

The cursor clicks the Eraser button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window.



How to Select the Eraser With Keyboard

  • Step 1: First open a whiteboard and on the keyboard press Alt + X.
A graphic of the keyboard keys "Alt + X" appears on the right side of the canvas.



How to Change Eraser Width 

  • Step 1: Select the Eraser and on the canvas, click and drag the eraser back and forth rapidly. The Eraser cursor width increases the faster the cursor is moved.
The top image displays the eraser cursor erasing the orange highlighter marking on the canvas. The bottom image displays two blue arrows, one pointing diagonally up and one diagonally down, as the larger Eraser cursor erases the yellow and orange highlighter markings on the canvas.



How to Erase Entire Stroke

The cursor double clicks the Eraser button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Erase entire stroke".
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Erase entire stroke" option in the menu above the Eraser button. The bottom image displays the eraser cursor erasing the entire orange highlighter marking on the canvas.



How to Erase Partial Stroke

The cursor double clicks the Eraser button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Erase partial stroke". 

The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Erase partial stroke" option in the menu above the Eraser button. The bottom image displays the eraser cursor erasing part of the orange highlighter marking.

 

 

How to Draw a Straight Line With a Ruler

  • Step 1: First open a whiteboard and on the keyboard press Alt + R.

The top image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Alt + R" in the center of the canvas. The bottom image displays a grey horizontal ruler that spans the canvas.

 

  • Step 2: Click the "Inking" button and draw a line next to the ruler.
The canvas displays a black line Ink object above the grey horizontal ruler.



How to Draw a Straight Line With Keyboard

  • Step 1: Switch to Inking mode. On the keyboard hold Shift, then click and drag with the mouse to draw a line.
The top image displays a graphic of the keyboard "Shift" key and a blue arrow pointing diagonally up to the right. The bottom image displays a black line pointing diagonally up to the right on the canvas.



How to Draw a Straight Line With Touch Screen

  • Step 1: First switch to Inking mode. On the touch screen, with a finger draw a line and then press and hold the screen for several seconds. Microsoft Whiteboard automatically straightens the line.
The top image displays a diagonal black line on the canvas. The bottom image displays a straight horizontal line on the canvas.



How to Change an Ink Object to a Shape With Click

An Ink object drawing of a square appears in the center of the canvas.

 

  • Step 2: In the bottom toolbar click the "Select" or arrow button, and click to select the Ink object.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Select" or arrow button at the bottom of the canvas. The bottom image displays the cursor clicking the Ink object on the canvas to select it.



  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click the "Convert to shapes" button.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Convert to shapes" button in the menu above the selected Ink object. The bottom image displays a black square outline shape in the canvas with straight sides and even corners.



How to Change an Ink Object to a Shape With Keyboard

The canvas displays a circle Ink object on the canvas.

 

  • Step 2: In the bottom toolbar click the "Select" or arrow button.

The left image displays the cursor clicking the "Select" or arrow button on the bottom toolbar. The right image displays the cursor clicking to select the circle Ink object on the canvas.

 

  • Step 3: Click to select the Ink object and on the keyboard press Alt + B.
The top image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Alt + B" above the selected circle Ink object. The bottom image displays a perfect circle shape on the canvas.



How to Insert a Sticky Note With Click

  • Step 1: Open a whiteboard and in the bottom toolbar click the "Add note or note grid" button.

The cursor clicks the "Add note or note grid" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click to select a sticky note.

A menu appears above the "Add note or note grid" button at the bottom of the canvas. The cursor clicks the "Add yellow note" button in the menu.

 

  • Step 3: Click anywhere in the canvas to insert the sticky note.
The top image displays the cursor clicking in the upper left of the canvas. The bottom image displays the inserted yellow sticky note in the canvas.



How to Insert a Sticky Note With Right Click

  • Step 1: First open a whiteboard and right click anywhere in the canvas.

The cursor right clicks the upper left of the canvas.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click the "Note" option.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Note" option in the menu that appears where the canvas was right clicked. The bottom image displays the inserted yellow sticky note on the canvas.



How to Insert a Sticky Note From a Note Grid

  • Step 1: Insert a note grid. Go to the upper right of the note grid and click the "Add note" button.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Add note" button in the upper right of the note grid on the canvas. The bottom image displays the note grid with one more sticky note added to the bottom left of the grid.



How to Insert a Note Grid

  • Step 1: First open a whiteboard, and in the bottom toolbar click the "Add note or note grid" button.

The cursor clicks the "Add note or note grid" button at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click the note grid button.

A menu appears above the "Add note or note" grid button. The cursor clicks the note grid button in the menu.

 

  • Step 3: Click to select a note grid.

The cursor clicks the "Add soft cyan note grid" button in the menu above the "Add note or note grid" button.
 

 

  • Step 4: Click anywhere in the canvas to insert that note grid.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the center of the canvas. The bottom image displays the inserted note grid in the canvas.



How to Insert a Reaction With Click

  • Step 1: Open a whiteboard, and in the bottom toolbar click the "Add reaction" button.

The cursor clicks the "Add reaction" button on the bottom toolbar of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click to select a reaction.

A menu appears above the "Add reaction" button. The cursor clicks the "Add smile reaction" button in the menu.

 

  • Step 3: Click anywhere in the canvas to insert that reaction.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the center of the canvas. The bottom image displays the inserted smile reaction in the center of the canvas.



How to Insert a Reaction into a Sticky Note

  • Step 1: First insert a sticky note into the canvas. Hover the mouse over the lower left corner of the sticky note.
The cursor hovers over the bottom left corner of a blue sticky note on the canvas.



  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click to select a reaction.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Heart" reaction button in the menu that appears at the bottom of the sticky note. The bottom image displays a heart icon in the bottom left of the sticky note.



How to Insert Text With Click

  • Step 1: Open a whiteboard and in the bottom toolbar click the "Add text" button.

The cursor clicks the "Add text" button on the toolbar at the bottom of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window.
 

 

  • Step 2: Click anywhere in the canvas, and type any text.

The top image displays the cursor clicking the upper left of the canvas. The bottom image displays the inserted text box with the text of "This canvas has been edited".

 

  • Step 3: Click to select the text, and do one of the following:

-To make the text larger, hold Shift and press the up arrow key.

The top image displays a graphic of the keyboard "Shift" and "up arrow" keys. The bottom image displays the larger text of "This canvas has been edited".

 

-To make the text smaller, hold Shift and press the down arrow key.

The top image displays a graphic of the keyboard "Shift" and "down arrow" keys. The bottom image displays the smaller text of "This canvas has been edited".



How to Insert Text With Right Click

  • Step 1: First open a whiteboard and right click anywhere inside the canvas.

The cursor right clicks the upper left of the canvas.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Text" and type any text.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Text" option in the menu that appears where the canvas was right clicked. The bottom image displays the inserted text box with the text of "This canvas has been edited".



How to Insert Shapes

  • Step 1: Open a whiteboard and in the bottom toolbar click the "Add shape or line" button.

The cursor clicks the "Add shape or line" button in the bottom right of the open Microsoft Whiteboard window.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click to select a shape or a line.

The top image displays the cursor clicking the circle shape in the menu that appears above the "Add shape or line" button. The bottom image displays the cursor clicking the "Add line" option in the menu that appears above the "Add shape or line" button.

 

  • Step 3: Click anywhere in the canvas to insert that shape, or click and drag to insert a line.
     
    The top image displays the inserted circle shape on the canvas. The bottom image displays the inserted line on the canvas.

 

 

How to Undo With Click

The top image displays an orange sticky note in the upper left of the canvas as the cursor clicks the "Undo" button at the bottom left of the window. The bottom image displays the empty canvas as the insertion of the sticky note is undone.

 


How to Undo With Keyboard

The top image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Ctrl + Z" above a green check mark reaction on the canvas. The bottom image displays the empty canvas as the insertion of the green check mark reaction is undone.



How to Redo With Click

  • Step 1: First Undo an action. Go down to the bottom left and click the "Redo" button.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Redo" button that appears above the "Undo" button at the bottom of the window. The bottom image displays the canvas with the orange sticky note as the previous "Undo" action is reversed.



How to Redo With Keyboard

  • Step 1: Undo an action, and on the keyboard press Ctrl + Y.
     
    The top image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Ctrl + Y" on the canvas. The bottom image displays a green check mark reaction as the previous "Undo" action is reversed.

 


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