Notes and Shapes

• Add a Note/Shape
• Edit a Note/Shape
  • Add or Modify Text
  • Format Text
  • Add a Link
• Format a Note/Shape
  • Custom Color
  • Resize Dimensions
  • Convert
  • *Add a Border
  • *Change Opacity
• Dependencies/Connections

Notes are arguably the most quintessential tool in Hoylu. They present information in a clear and organized manner, more so than just plain text, but they can also be converted into more complex elements in Hoylu like Pull Plan Tasks and Jira or Agility Tickets. 

Shapes are another form of Notes so they have similar behaviors, but they have the added feature of being usable for flow charting or diagramming, so they can have borders and varying opacity levels. 

Add a Note/Shape

There are several ways to add elements into the Workspace:

1. Drag and drop directly from the Toolbar
   
   
2. Click on the icon and then double-click into the Workspace
   
   
3. Click on the icon, click on empty space, and click on the small popup
   
   
4. Click on the icon, and double-click anywhere else in the Workspace
   
   
5. Double-tap the Enter/Return button on your keyboard when in edit mode in any Note or Shape to quick-add a new Note or Shape

Figure 1. Add a new Note or Shape.

Edit a Note/Shape

Adding or Modifying Text

There are three different ways to add and modify the text in your Note or Shape:

1. Drop a new Note or Shape, and it will automatically launch edit mode,
   
   
2. Double-click on a Note or Shape, or
   
   
3. Click on the Note or Shape to select it and then press Enter/Return on your keyboard.
   

😎  Pro-Tip: Use Shift + Enter/Return on your keyboard to skip to the next line of your Note. 

Format Text

Use the formatting bar above the Note or Shape to change the appearance of the text. You are able to highlight portions of the text and have formatting changes apply only to the highlighted text, except for the following formatting options:

• Font
• Text size
• Text alignment

These options will apply to all text within that specific Note or Shape. 

Add a Link

You can add a hyperlink to the text within your Note or Shape, but you can also add it to the overall object (including images). 

1. Right-click on the Note or Shape
   
   
2. Click on the three-dot menu on the right side of the Context Menu that appears above or below the object
   
   
3. Click on Link Editor
   
   
4. Paste or type a link to the empty box that appears
   
   
5. Click on the Save button

Figure 2. Adding a Link.

Format a Note/Shape

Custom Color

You can add your own colors in Hoylu by checking out this article. 

Resize Dimensions

You can resize or change the dimensions of a Note or Shape while in editing mode.

1. Double-click into any existing Note or Shape
   
   
2. Use the dots on the corners and sides of the object to change its dimensions
   
   
3. Press the Enter/Return button on your keyboard or click out of the object to confirm the changes

Figure 3. Resizing or changing dimensions of a Note or Shape.

Convert

You can transform a Note or a Shape with text in it to an integrated Jira or Agility Ticket or a Pull Plan Task as long as there is text on it.

To convert a Note or Shape to a Jira ticket, click here.

To convert a Note or Shape to an Agility ticket, click here.

To convert a Note or Shape to a Task, click here.

*Add a Border

For flow mapping or diagramming purposes, you are able to add a border to Shapes. You cannot do this for Notes. 

1. Right click on a Shape
   
   
2. Click on the border box to the right of the color box in the Context Menu
   
   
3. Select a thickness level for your border
   
   
4. Select a color for your border
   
   
5. Click into empty space to confirm the changes

Figure 4. Add a border to a Shape.

*Change Opacity

For additional functionality in flow mapping or diagramming purposes, you are able to change the opacity levels of Shapes. You cannot do this for Notes. 

1. Right click on a Shape
   
   
2. Click on the color box in the Context Menu
   
   
3. Select your desired opacity from the teardrop icons below the color choices
   
   
4. Click into empty space to confirm the changes

Figure 5. Change opacity of a Shape.

Dependencies/Connections

You are able to draw relationships between specific objects in Hoylu, which will help in visualization and brainstorming exercises as well as for tracking handoffs between larger ticket items for project management. 

To see more information about this, click here.

* Available only with Shapes