View and mark up photos & images

In this article, you can learn how to store and view entire photo libraries in your Documents app as well as how to highlight important details and draw on your images with the handy “Mark up” mode.

Jump to:

• Add and access photos & images in Documents
• Mark up photos and images
• Convert photos and images to PDF
• Live Text in photos
• Lift objects from images

Add and access photos & images in Documents

You can access your entire photo library through our integration with the Photos app. To do so, simply open Documents > Photo Albums folder.

There are also other ways to add images to Documents:

• Add or take images using the plus button at the bottom right
• Share images from other apps to Documents
• Download them from our built-in browser 
• View and mark up images from any cloud storage connected to Documents without downloading them

Mark up photos and images

The markup tools can be used in many different ways, like pointing out something attention-worthy, highlighting the details, showing design changes, using it as an educational tool, or just making your images more colorful and catchy.

Create a drawing

1. In Documents, open the needed image and tap.
2. In the Markup toolbar, tap the pen , marker , or pencil  tool, then write or draw with your finger.
3. To hide the Markup toolbar and save changes, tap Done.

While drawing, do any of the following:

• To change the thickness, tap the drawing tool in the toolbar, then choose an option.
• To change the opacity, tap the drawing tool in the toolbar, then drag the slider.
• To change the color, tap the Color Picker button  in the toolbar, then choose a color.
• To draw a straight line, tap the ruler tool in the toolbar, then draw a line along the edge of the ruler.

Move your drawing

After you draw something, you can move it around. To do so, tap the Lasso  tool, trace a circle around the drawing that you want to move, then drag it where you want it to be.

Erase or undo a drawing

To undo a drawing, tap the eraser button and rub your finger across the area you want to erase. You can also undo any markup action by using the undo button. If you accidentally undo a markup, you can tapto redo.

Convert photos and images to PDF

iPhone iPad

To convert a single file to PDF, open it in the Documents app, then tap the conversion icon. Alternatively, or to convert multiple files at once, follow the steps below:

1. Open Documents.
2. Open a folder with the needed file or stay in the My Filessection if the file is there.
3. Tap ... at the top right > Select.
4. Select the files you need to convert.
5. Tap Convert to PDF at the bottom.

Tip: If you need to merge several images into a single PDF file, tap Merge to PDF after selection.

To convert a single file to PDF, open it in the Documents app, then tap the conversion icon. Alternatively, or to convert multiple files at once, follow the steps below:

1. Open Documents.
2. Open a folder with the needed file or stay in the My Filessection if the file is there.
3. Tap ... at the top right > Select.
4. Select the files you need to convert.
5. Tap Convert to PDF on the sidebar.

Tip: If you need to merge several images into a single PDF file, tap Merge to PDF after selection.

Live Text in images

You can apply Live Text to all images and photos except for Live Photos or any other dynamic images. 

Here’s how you can use this feature in Documents: 

1. Open the image, and if the iOS mechanism recognizes any text or element like a link or a barcode, the Live Text button will appear in the bottom right corner of the screen.
2. Tap once to enter the text editor mode - here you can select the text, numbers, links, etc. that have been recognized. 
3. Use a long tap to open the options menu - there you can see all standard features like Copy, Translate, Look Up, etc. 
4. Quick actions might be offered if the Live Text mechanism recognized phone numbers, URLs, email addresses, and many more.

Lift objects from images

You can isolate the object from its background and copy or share it to other apps right from Documents. 

1. Open any photo in full-screen mode.
2. Touch and hold the subject you want to work with. 
3. Once you see an outline around the subject, proceed with one of the available actions.
4. If you wish to transfer the subject to another app, continue touching the subject and, using another finger, open a document in a different app. Then, drag the subject into the document.
5. Alternatively, you can choose to copy the subject by tapping the Copy option. Paste the subject into an email, text message, or note.
6. Tap Look Up to view search results and gain additional insights.
7. Tap Add Sticker to create a sticker and save it for use in photos, emails, text messages, and various other applications.
8. Tap Share and select your preferred sharing method, such as AirDrop, Messages, or Mail.