All iPads How do I turn off "auto list numbering" for the Notes app on an iPad?

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi all,


How do I turn off "auto list numbering" for the Notes app on an iPad?

I found out how to do this on the Mac:
Edit > Substitutions > Smart list

However there is no option to do this on the iPad.


If it is not possible to change - what work arounds have you tried that works ok?




Hope you can advise
Martin


PS: Reason why I want to do this
- To make the note taking as easy as possible.
- E.g. In work meetings minute taking, the numbering system goes nuts when there is a lot of notes, and cross referencing etc.
- Basically, during the meeting, I just want to slam down the info into notes, as a rough WYSIWYG version of what I am typing out.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Hi all,


How do I turn off "auto list numbering" for the Notes app on an iPad?

I found out how to do this on the Mac:
Edit > Substitutions > Smart list

However there is no option to do this on the iPad.


If it is not possible to change - what work arounds have you tried that works ok?




Hope you can advise
Martin


PS: Reason why I want to do this
- To make the note taking as easy as possible.
- E.g. In work meetings minute taking, the numbering system goes nuts when there is a lot of notes, and cross referencing etc.
- Basically, during the meeting, I just want to slam down the info into notes, as a rough WYSIWYG version of what I am typing out.

How do I turn off list formatting in Note… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi AA,



Apologies, I thought I replied on thursday! ?.....Hitting post always helps.... ?




I’m afraid the above link only works for macs
The option is not there for ipad, shame!

Thanks for looking though


...and a belated happy xmas! ?




Best wishes
Martin

 

[secretk]

Maybe I don't understand what you need to do so excuse my stupid rambling (if turns out to be such) but do I get it right that you use numbers to number your notes and once you start doing this, then Notes app would automatically increment the numbers?

What if you don't use numbers but just paragraphs and indentation? Also can you use bullets instead of numbers and would this help?

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Maybe I don't understand what you need to do so excuse my stupid rambling (if turns out to be such) but do I get it right that you use numbers to number your notes and once you start doing this, then Notes app would automatically increment the numbers?

What if you don't use numbers but just paragraphs and indentation? Also can you use bullets instead of numbers and would this help?

Hi Secretk,


Thats a good idea! ?

Thats probably what I will do if I have to use the ipad for taking notes. That will be during this xmas break.

I’m finding the M1 MBA a much better note taking machine, so will use that instead during work ?
Plus - I’ve worked out how to turn off all the numbering stuff on Notes on the MBA. Happy days


During this festive break though:
- Its the mac driving the main large monitor, you-tube tutorials on, and I’m taking notes with the ipad Etc.
- I’ve tried using the mac as the main keyboard, front and centre of the monitor, but the usb-c cable sticks out and is in the way of the mouse etc. (I’m a leftie I’m afraid.)



Thanks for the tip!


Best wishes
Martin

 

[secretk]

Hi Secretk,


Thats a good idea! ?

Thats probably what I will do if I have to use the ipad for taking notes. That will be during this xmas break.

Welcome! Sometimes we need to take a step back and look the problem from another perspective.

I’m finding the M1 MBA a much better note taking machine, so will use that instead during work ?
Plus - I’ve worked out how to turn off all the numbering stuff on Notes on the MBA. Happy days

I see your point in this. Are your meetings virtual or in physical space? I work from home now and all of my meetings are virtual. I hook up an external monitor to the laptop and put on the laptop the video and then OneNote (my app for note taking) on the other screen.

During this festive break though:
- Its the mac driving the main large monitor, you-tube tutorials on, and I’m taking notes with the ipad Etc.
- I’ve tried using the mac as the main keyboard, front and centre of the monitor, but the usb-c cable sticks out and is in the way of the mouse etc. (I’m a leftie I’m afraid.)

I have done this approach too. If I don't have the second monitor plugged in with the laptop, I would use the iPad to take notes while watching the video on my laptop. I use Udemy at work and quite often would put on the Udemy video tutorials on the laptop and then take notes with the pencil on the iPad. That for me works too.

Thanks for the tip!


Best wishes
Martin

You are welcome!

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Are your meetings virtual or in physical space?

I work from home now and all of my meetings are virtual. I hook up an external monitor to the laptop and put on the laptop the video and then OneNote (my app for note taking) on the other screen.

Hi S,

My work meetings are virtual.

Thinking about it, I'd feel happier if I was using a totally separate laptop for note taking anyway.
I suppose its a case of not wanting to click on the wrong buttons and disconnecting the call by mistake etc.


Using my personal MBA would work fine for me:
1. Totally separate
2. Managed to turn off auto Numbering on NOTES at least, for rough note taking
3. Can simply then email self to work after call.


Best wishes
Martin

PS:
for rough note taking - I'm giving up on auto numbering, I find it can very easily go horribly wrong in middle of a meeting. More fighting with the app, than taking notes at times!