The Zoom annotation tools let you and your participants draw, highlight, stamp, and type directly on a shared screen or whiteboard in real time. Whether you are a teacher marking up a worksheet, a designer pointing to a mockup, or a manager circling a key figure in a report, annotation turns a static presentation into an interactive session. The tools work over any shared content, so you can annotate a slide deck, a browser window, a document, or Zoom’s built-in whiteboard.
In this guide you will learn how to open the annotation toolbar on desktop and mobile, what each tool does, how to save your marked-up screen, and how the host can control or disable annotation for attendees. Some annotation controls, such as turning off participant annotation or clearing everyone’s drawings, require host or co-host permissions, so we will flag those where relevant.
Where to Find the Annotation Toolbar
Annotation appears whenever content is being shared. If you are the one sharing, the Annotate button sits in the floating meeting controls at the top of the screen. If someone else is sharing and you want to draw on their content, you access annotation through the “View Options” menu instead. This small difference trips up a lot of first-time users, so it is worth remembering which side of the share you are on.
The Annotation Tools Explained
Zoom’s toolbar includes several tools, each suited to a different task. Getting familiar with them helps you work quickly during a live call.
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Select | Move, resize, or delete annotations you have added. |
| Text | Type words directly onto the shared screen. |
| Draw | Freehand lines, arrows, and shapes to point things out. |
| Stamp | Drop icons such as checkmarks, arrows, hearts, or stars. |
| Spotlight | Use a laser pointer or arrow to guide attention. |
| Eraser | Remove specific annotations you no longer want. |
How to Annotate on Desktop
On Windows and macOS, annotation is quick to reach while you are sharing your screen.
- Start sharing your screen or whiteboard by clicking Share Screen in the toolbar.
- Move your cursor to the top of the screen to reveal the meeting controls.
- Click Annotate to open the drawing toolbar.
- Choose a tool such as Draw, Text, or Stamp, and pick a color.
- Mark up the shared content directly with your mouse or trackpad.
- Click Save to store a screenshot of the annotated screen to your computer.
- Click Clear to remove annotations, or close the toolbar when finished.
How to Annotate as a Viewer
If another person is sharing and you want to add your own marks, the path is slightly different.
- Look for View Options at the top of the shared screen.
- Click it and select Annotate.
- Use the same tools to draw on the presenter’s content.
- Your name may appear next to your annotations if the host enabled that option.
Annotating on Mobile
Tap the screen during a share, then tap the pen icon in the bottom-left corner to open annotation tools. Draw with your finger or Apple Pencil, then tap the pen again to close.
Tap the screen to reveal controls, then tap the pencil icon to start annotating. Select a color and tool, draw with your finger, and tap the icon again to stop.
Host Controls: Disabling Annotation
As the host or co-host, you decide whether attendees can annotate. While sharing, open More in the annotation toolbar and select Disable Attendee Annotation. This is useful during formal presentations where you do not want stray marks. You can re-enable it at any time from the same menu.
Troubleshooting: Annotation Not Showing Up
If the Annotate button is missing, the most common cause is that annotation is disabled in account settings; a host can turn it on under Settings, Meeting, In Meeting (Basic). Make sure you are actually sharing or viewing a shared screen, since annotation only appears with shared content. Update your Zoom app if the toolbar looks different from this guide, and if you are a viewer, remember to use View Options rather than looking for a standalone button. For more step-by-step tutorials, browse our how-to guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can everyone annotate or just the host?
By default anyone can annotate a shared screen, but the host or co-host can disable participant annotation at any time from the More menu in the annotation toolbar.
How do I save my annotations?
Click the Save button in the annotation toolbar while sharing. Zoom stores a screenshot of the annotated screen to your local recording folder as an image file.
Why can’t I see the Annotate button?
Annotation only appears when content is being shared, and it may be disabled in account settings. Confirm a screen is shared and ask the host to enable annotation if needed.
Can I see who made each annotation?
Yes. The host can turn on “Show Names of Annotators” from the More menu so each mark is labeled with the person’s name.
Do annotations appear in the recording?
Yes. If you record the meeting while annotating a shared screen, the annotations are captured in the video along with the shared content.
