# Meeting Whiteboard User Guide

The Meeting Whiteboard provides a collaborative canvas for real-time visual collaboration during meetings, enabling teams to sketch ideas, diagram workflows, and brainstorm together.

## Overview

The Whiteboard app enables you to:

- Draw freehand sketches and annotations
- Create shapes, diagrams, and flowcharts
- Add sticky notes and text labels
- Collaborate in real-time with meeting participants
- Export whiteboards as images or PDFs
- Save and revisit whiteboard sessions

## Getting Started

### Accessing the Whiteboard

**During a Meeting:**

1. Join a meeting in the Meet app
2. Click the **Whiteboard** button in the toolbar
3. A shared canvas opens for all participants

**Standalone Mode:**

1. Navigate to **Apps** → **Whiteboard**
2. Click **New Whiteboard**
3. Share the link to invite collaborators

### Canvas Basics

| Element | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| Canvas | Infinite drawing area |
| Toolbar | Tools on the left side |
| Properties | Settings on the right side |
| Zoom | Bottom-right controls |
| Participants | Avatars showing who's viewing |

## Drawing Tools

### Pen Tool

Freehand drawing with customizable settings:

| Setting | Options |
|---------|---------|
| Color | Any color |
| Size | 1-20 pixels |
| Opacity | 0-100% |
| Smoothing | Low, Medium, High |

**Keyboard Shortcut:** `P`

### Highlighter

Semi-transparent marker for emphasis:

- Automatic transparency (50%)
- Wide stroke for highlighting
- Colors: Yellow, Green, Pink, Blue

**Keyboard Shortcut:** `H`

### Eraser

Remove content from the canvas:

| Mode | Function |
|------|----------|
| Stroke | Erases entire strokes |
| Area | Erases within brush area |

**Keyboard Shortcut:** `E`

### Laser Pointer

Temporary pointer visible to all participants:

- Fades after 2 seconds
- Shows your cursor position
- Color matches your participant color

**Keyboard Shortcut:** `L`

## Shape Tools

### Basic Shapes

| Shape | Shortcut | Description |
|-------|----------|-------------|
| Rectangle | `R` | Boxes and containers |
| Ellipse | `O` | Circles and ovals |
| Triangle | `T` | Triangles |
| Line | `\` | Straight lines |
| Arrow | `A` | Directional arrows |

### Drawing Shapes

1. Select shape tool
2. Click and drag on canvas
3. Hold `Shift` for perfect proportions
4. Release to complete

### Shape Properties

| Property | Options |
|----------|---------|
| Fill | Solid, None, Pattern |
| Stroke | Color, Width, Style |
| Corners | Sharp, Rounded |
| Shadow | None, Light, Medium, Dark |

## Text and Notes

### Text Tool

Add text labels anywhere on the canvas:

1. Press `T` or select Text tool
2. Click on canvas
3. Type your text
4. Click outside to finish

**Text Settings:**

| Setting | Options |
|---------|---------|
| Font Size | 12-72pt |
| Font Weight | Normal, Bold |
| Alignment | Left, Center, Right |
| Color | Any color |

### Sticky Notes

Virtual post-it notes for ideas:

1. Press `N` or select Sticky Note
2. Click to place
3. Type content
4. Drag to reposition

**Sticky Note Colors:**

- Yellow (default)
- Pink
- Green
- Blue
- Purple
- Orange

## Connectors

### Creating Connectors

Link shapes to show relationships:

1. Select Connector tool (`C`)
2. Click on first shape
3. Click on second shape
4. Connector automatically routes

### Connector Types

| Type | Use Case |
|------|----------|
| Straight | Direct connection |
| Elbow | Right-angle routing |
| Curved | Smooth curves |

### Connector Endpoints

| Endpoint | Meaning |
|----------|---------|
| Arrow | Direction/flow |
| Circle | Connection point |
| Diamond | Decision |
| None | Simple connection |

## Collaboration Features

### Real-Time Sync

All changes sync instantly to participants:

- See others' cursors in real-time
- Watch drawing as it happens
- Automatic conflict resolution

### Participant Cursors

Each participant has a unique cursor:

- Name label follows cursor
- Color identifies participant
- Fades when inactive

### Follow Mode

Focus on a presenter:

1. Click a participant's avatar
2. Select **Follow**
3. Your view follows their canvas position

### Presence Indicators

| Indicator | Meaning |
|-----------|---------|
| Green dot | Active, drawing |
| Yellow dot | Viewing |
| Gray dot | Idle |

## Canvas Navigation

### Panning

Move around the canvas:

- **Mouse:** Middle-click drag or Space + drag
- **Trackpad:** Two-finger drag
- **Touch:** Two-finger drag

### Zooming

| Action | Method |
|--------|--------|
| Zoom In | `Ctrl/Cmd + +` or scroll up |
| Zoom Out | `Ctrl/Cmd + -` or scroll down |
| Fit to Screen | `Ctrl/Cmd + 0` |
| Zoom to Selection | `Ctrl/Cmd + 2` |

### Minimap

Overview of entire canvas:

1. Click minimap icon (bottom-right)
2. Blue rectangle shows current view
3. Click to jump to location

## Selection and Editing

### Selecting Objects

| Action | Method |
|--------|--------|
| Single select | Click object |
| Multi-select | Shift + click |
| Box select | Drag selection rectangle |
| Select all | `Ctrl/Cmd + A` |

### Transforming Objects

| Action | Method |
|--------|--------|
| Move | Drag selected object |
| Resize | Drag corner handles |
| Rotate | Drag rotation handle |
| Constrain | Hold Shift while transforming |

### Alignment

Align selected objects:

| Alignment | Shortcut |
|-----------|----------|
| Left | `Alt + L` |
| Center | `Alt + C` |
| Right | `Alt + R` |
| Top | `Alt + T` |
| Middle | `Alt + M` |
| Bottom | `Alt + B` |

### Distribution

Evenly space selected objects:

- **Distribute Horizontally:** `Alt + H`
- **Distribute Vertically:** `Alt + V`

## Layers and Organization

### Layer Order

| Action | Shortcut |
|--------|----------|
| Bring to Front | `Ctrl/Cmd + ]` |
| Send to Back | `Ctrl/Cmd + [` |
| Bring Forward | `Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + ]` |
| Send Backward | `Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + [` |

### Grouping

Combine objects:

1. Select multiple objects
2. Press `Ctrl/Cmd + G` to group
3. Press `Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + G` to ungroup

### Locking

Prevent accidental edits:

1. Select object
2. Right-click → **Lock**
3. Right-click → **Unlock** to edit again

## Templates

### Using Templates

Start with pre-built layouts:

1. Click **Templates** in toolbar
2. Browse categories:
   - Brainstorming
   - Flowcharts
   - Mind Maps
   - Retrospectives
   - Kanban
   - User Journey
3. Click to apply

### Saving Templates

Create reusable templates:

1. Design your whiteboard
2. Click **File** → **Save as Template**
3. Name and categorize
4. Template appears in your library

## Export and Sharing

### Export Formats

| Format | Use Case |
|--------|----------|
| PNG | High-quality image |
| JPEG | Smaller file size |
| SVG | Vector graphics |
| PDF | Document sharing |

### Export Options

| Option | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| Selection | Export only selected area |
| Entire Canvas | Export everything |
| Current View | Export visible area |
| With Background | Include canvas background |

### Sharing

| Method | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| Link | Share view-only or edit link |
| Embed | Embed in websites |
| Email | Send link via email |

## Undo and History

### Undo/Redo

| Action | Shortcut |
|--------|----------|
| Undo | `Ctrl/Cmd + Z` |
| Redo | `Ctrl/Cmd + Y` or `Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Z` |

### Version History

1. Click **History** icon
2. Browse previous versions
3. Click to preview
4. **Restore** to revert

## Keyboard Shortcuts

### Tools

| Shortcut | Tool |
|----------|------|
| `V` | Select |
| `P` | Pen |
| `H` | Highlighter |
| `E` | Eraser |
| `T` | Text |
| `N` | Sticky Note |
| `R` | Rectangle |
| `O` | Ellipse |
| `A` | Arrow |
| `C` | Connector |
| `L` | Laser Pointer |

### Actions

| Shortcut | Action |
|----------|--------|
| `Ctrl/Cmd + Z` | Undo |
| `Ctrl/Cmd + Y` | Redo |
| `Ctrl/Cmd + C` | Copy |
| `Ctrl/Cmd + V` | Paste |
| `Ctrl/Cmd + D` | Duplicate |
| `Delete` | Delete selected |
| `Ctrl/Cmd + A` | Select all |
| `Ctrl/Cmd + G` | Group |
| `Escape` | Deselect / Cancel |

### Navigation

| Shortcut | Action |
|----------|--------|
| `Space + drag` | Pan canvas |
| `Ctrl/Cmd + +` | Zoom in |
| `Ctrl/Cmd + -` | Zoom out |
| `Ctrl/Cmd + 0` | Fit to screen |
| `Ctrl/Cmd + 1` | Zoom to 100% |

## Tips and Best Practices

### For Facilitators

1. **Prepare templates** - Set up structure before meeting
2. **Use frames** - Organize different activities
3. **Enable follow mode** - Guide participants' attention
4. **Use laser pointer** - Highlight without editing
5. **Save checkpoints** - Version history for reference

### For Participants

1. **Claim your color** - Identify your contributions
2. **Use sticky notes** - Quick idea capture
3. **Don't overlap** - Give space to others' work
4. **Use reactions** - Vote with emoji stamps

### Performance Tips

| Issue | Solution |
|-------|----------|
| Slow canvas | Reduce object count |
| Lag in sync | Check network connection |
| Export fails | Reduce canvas size |

## Integration with Meetings

### Starting from Meet

1. In Meet, click **More** → **Open Whiteboard**
2. Whiteboard opens for all participants
3. Whiteboard persists after meeting ends

### Whiteboard Recording

When meeting is recorded:

- Whiteboard activity is captured
- Playback shows drawing timeline
- Export includes whiteboard snapshots

## Related Topics

- [Meet App](./meet.md) - Video meetings
- [Tasks Integration](./tasks.md) - Create tasks from whiteboard
- [Drive Storage](./drive.md) - Whiteboard file storage
- [Export Options](./export.md) - Sharing and formats