How to Download and Use Your Define Digital Planner in Goodnotes
Getting started with your Define digital planner only takes a few steps.
Define digital planners are designed and recommended for use with Goodnotes 6, but they can also be used with other compatible PDF annotation apps.
This guide will walk you through how to download your planner, save it to your device, import it into Goodnotes on an iPad, and start planning.
What You'll Need
Before you begin, make sure you have:
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Your Define digital planner download email
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The device you plan to use for digital planning
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Goodnotes or another compatible PDF annotation app
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Enough available storage space to download your planner PDF
The instructions below focus on using Goodnotes on an iPad. Steps may differ on other devices.
Step 1: Open Your Download Email
After purchasing your digital planner, you'll receive an email with access to your digital downloads.
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Open your download email.
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Select the Download Now button.
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You'll be directed to the page where your digital planner file is available.
If you don't see the email, check your spam or junk folder and confirm you're using the email address entered during checkout.
Step 2: Download Your Digital Planner
On the download page, locate your digital planner and select the download button to download the PDF.
Depending on your device and browser, the PDF may open in a preview or download directly to your device.
If You're Using an iPad
If your planner opens as a PDF preview:
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Tap the Share icon.
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Select Save to Files.
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Choose a folder where you want to save your planner.
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Tap Save.
If your planner downloads automatically:
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Open the Files app on your iPad.
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Navigate to Downloads, usually under iCloud Drive or On My iPad, depending on your settings.
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Locate your downloaded planner PDF.
We recommend saving the original file somewhere you can easily find it again.
Step 3: Import Your Planner Into Goodnotes
Once your planner is saved to your iPad, you're ready to import it.
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Open Goodnotes.
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From the main Documents or Library screen, tap + New.
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Select Import.
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Navigate to the folder where you saved your planner.
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Select your Define planner PDF.
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Confirm the import if prompted.
Your planner will appear in your Goodnotes library.
You can now open it and begin planning.
Note: Goodnotes occasionally updates its interface, so some button names or locations may look slightly different.
Step 4: Start Planning
Once your planner is open in Goodnotes, you can begin adding your schedule, goals, notes, reminders, and other planning information.
Depending on your device and app version, you can use Goodnotes tools to:
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Write directly on your planner pages
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Add typed text
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Highlight important information
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Insert images and digital stickers
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Copy, paste, and move content
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Erase or adjust handwriting
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Organize your planner alongside other digital notebooks
Start with your monthly calendar or weekly planning pages, then explore the additional sections as you become familiar with your planner.
If you're new to planning, explore How to Start Using a Planner Without Feeling Overwhelmed.
How to Use Hyperlinks in Your Digital Planner
Define digital planners include built-in hyperlinks to help you navigate between different sections of your planner.
These links allow you to move between pages without manually scrolling through the entire document.
Using Hyperlinks in Goodnotes
The easiest way to navigate your planner is to use Read Only Mode.
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Open your digital planner in Goodnotes.
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Tap the Read Only Mode icon in the top navigation bar.
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The writing toolbar will disappear.
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Tap a linked tab, date, or planner section to navigate to its destination.
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Switch back to Edit Mode when you're ready to write.
You can also press and hold a hyperlink while in Edit Mode and select Open Link when that option appears.
Helpful tip: If tapping a hyperlink draws on the page instead of opening the link, switch to Read Only Mode.
Using Your Digital Planner Across Devices
Your ability to access and sync your planner across devices depends on the PDF annotation app, operating system, and subscription plan you're using.
For Goodnotes users:
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Apple devices: iCloud Sync can synchronize your Goodnotes library between supported Apple devices using the same Apple Account.
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Apple, Android, Windows, and Web: Synchronizing the same library across these platforms requires a compatible Goodnotes Cloud subscription and setup.
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Other PDF annotation apps: Syncing capabilities depend on the app and cloud service you choose.
Before relying on cross-device access, review your app's syncing settings and supported devices.
For additional information, visit the Goodnotes Support Center.
What If You Don't Use Goodnotes?
You don't have to use Goodnotes to use a Define digital planner.
Because your planner is provided as a PDF, it may also work with other applications that support PDF annotation, including:
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Notability
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Nebo
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Noteshelf
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Other compatible PDF annotation apps
What about OneNote?
OneNote supports inserting PDFs as attachments or printouts, but its PDF handling differs from that of dedicated PDF annotation apps. The planner's original internal navigation may not function the same way.
Features such as hyperlinks, writing tools, stickers, and syncing can vary between applications.
For the experience your Define digital planner was designed around, we recommend Goodnotes 6 on a compatible iPad.
Tips Before You Get Started
A few simple steps can make digital planning easier:
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Save your original PDF. Keep an untouched copy of your downloaded planner.
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Create a backup. Store the original somewhere safe in case you want to import a fresh version.
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Update your app. Use a current version of your PDF annotation app.
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Test your hyperlinks. Check that the navigation works before adding a large amount of content.
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Rename your planner. Give your imported document a recognizable name.
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Check your sync settings. Make sure you understand how your app stores and backs up your work.
Troubleshooting Your Digital Planner
I Downloaded My Planner but Can't Find It
Open the Files app on your iPad and check your Downloads folder.
Depending on your browser settings, the file may be saved under iCloud Drive or On My iPad.
You can also check your browser's recent downloads.
My Planner Opened in My Browser Instead of Goodnotes
If your planner opens as a PDF preview, use the Share menu to save it to Files.
Then open Goodnotes and import the saved PDF.
My Hyperlinks Aren't Working
First, make sure you're using Read Only Mode in Goodnotes.
If you're in Edit Mode, press and hold the link and look for the Open Link option.
If links still don't work, confirm that you've imported the original planner PDF rather than a printout or another converted version.
Hyperlink support can vary in other PDF annotation apps.
Can I Import My Planner Again?
Yes.
As long as you have your original planner PDF, you can import another copy into Goodnotes or another compatible annotation app.
This is helpful if you want to start fresh or keep separate copies.
Can I Use My Planner on More Than One Device?
Potentially, yes.
Device compatibility and synchronization depend on your chosen annotation app, its subscription features, and your account settings.
Check your app's supported devices and syncing options before setting up your planner on multiple devices.
Watch the Digital Planner Setup Tutorial
Prefer to follow along visually?
Watch our step-by-step tutorial showing how to download your Define digital planner and import it into Goodnotes on an iPad.
Watch the Digital Planner Setup Tutorial on YouTube
Ready to Start Planning?
Once your digital planner is downloaded and imported, you're ready to make it your own.
Start by adding your upcoming appointments, important deadlines, and weekly priorities. Then explore the goal-planning pages, accountability trackers, and reflection prompts as you build your routine.
Looking for a digital planning system that brings your schedule and goals together?
Navigate Each Day with Purpose.
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