How to import your PDF journal into GoodNotes

 The files are US Letter (8.5″ x 11″), 150 dpi, black & white, single-sided — prepared so they work well for handwriting inside GoodNotes.

Before you start — checklist

  • Have the iPad signed into the Apple ID and GoodNotes installed.
  • Find where the file will come from: Email, Files / iCloud, Dropbox, Safari download, or AirDrop from a Mac.
  • Keep the original PDF file in a safe space to reuse

Method A — From the Files app (iCloud / On My iPad)

  1. Save the PDF to Files (iCloud Drive or On My iPad). If the file is in an email or Safari, tap the Share icon → Save to Files.
  2. Open GoodNotes App.
  3. Tap the + (Add) button in the library or inside an open document and choose Import. The Files browser will appear.
  4. Locate the PDF and tap it. When prompted, choose Import as New Document or Import into Current Document (place before/after a page or at the end).
  5. Your PDF will import at its original page layout. Open the notebook and test the first page to confirm the spacing and size look correct.

Method B — From Browser or an email attachment

  1. Open the PDF link in Browser or open the PDF attachment in Mail.
  2. Tap the Share icon (square with an arrow) and choose Copy to GoodNotes or Open in GoodNotes from the share menu.
  3. When GoodNotes opens, pick the destination: Import as New Document or add to an existing document.
  4. Confirm the import

Organizing after import

  • Choose Import as New Document if you want the journal in its own notebook.
  • If you import into an existing notebook, GoodNotes will ask where to place the pages (before/after current page or at the end).
  • To rearrange pages later, open the Thumbnails view and drag pages to reorder.

Troubleshooting — common issues and fixes

1. Pages look small inside GoodNotes

  • GoodNotes displays pages at a zoom level that fits the screen. Use the Zoom gesture or tap to magnify — the page itself is unchanged.
  • If the page canvas seems smaller than your other notebooks, it may be a page-size mismatch.

2. Links or interactive elements not working

  • Most PDF links remain clickable in GoodNotes, but behavior can vary. If a link doesn’t work, open the same PDF in a browser to confirm the link exists; if it does, report the issue and we’ll test an alternate export method.

3. Import fails or GoodNotes shows an error

  • Make sure the PDF file is not corrupted. Try to re-download the file and try again.
  • Ensure GoodNotes 8 is up to date. If problems persist, importing via Files → Share → Open in GoodNotes often bypasses oddities.

4. Pages appear rotated

  • Rotate pages inside GoodNotes: open Thumbnails, tap the page, then choose Rotate.

Short FAQ

Will my handwriting align correctly?

Yes. GoodNotes preserves the PDF page as a static background, so handwriting sits on top of the page exactly where it appears.

Do I need to change DPI or scale?

No. The PDF is 150 dpi and imports cleanly. If a buyer wants crisper ink, GoodNotes will render the file at the device’s display resolution — nothing needs to be changed on import.

Quick Notes

Reach out if anything looks off — I’m happy to send an alternate file if needed.