How to Use Avidnote

Getting started with Avidnote

In this guide, you'll learn how to set up your Avidnote account and start managing your research notes and sources effectively. You'll be able to annotate PDFs, take notes, and manage citations all in one place.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to Avidnote's website.
2. Click on the "Sign Up" button located at the top right corner.
3. Choose to sign up with your email or use a Google account.
4. If using email, enter your details and click "Create Account."
5. Verify your email if prompted, and then log in to your new account.

Step 2: Your first annotation

1. Once logged in, click on the "Upload" button on the main dashboard.
2. Select a PDF file from your computer that you want to annotate.
3. After the upload completes, click on the PDF to open it.
4. Use the "Highlight" tool from the toolbar to select text you want to annotate.
5. Click on the "Add Note" icon to add your thoughts or comments next to the highlighted text.
6. Save your annotations by clicking on the "Save" button at the bottom right.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Organise your notes by creating folders. Click on "New Folder" in the sidebar and name it according to your project.
2. To manage citations, click on the "Citations" tab in the left sidebar, then select "Add Citation."
3. Fill in the details for your source and save it. This will help you keep track of references.
4. Use the search bar at the top to quickly find notes or citations when needed.

Pro tip

Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow. For example, press "Ctrl + H" (or "Cmd + H" on Mac) to quickly highlight text without using the mouse.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid uploading too many PDFs at once. This can clutter your workspace and make it hard to find specific documents. Focus on uploading one or two at a time, especially when starting out.