- Getting started with sequence diagrams 🎥
- What is Whimsical?
- Getting started with docs
- Getting to know Whimsical - video guide 🎥
- Working with Whimsical's infinite canvas - video guide 🎥
- 5 ways to create a new file
- Getting started with flowcharts
- Getting started with mind maps
- Getting started with cards
- Getting started with wireframes
- How to create a new workspace
- How to use AI-assisted mind mapping
- Getting started with Whimsical AI
- Customizing file and folder icons
- Mentions in Whimsical files
- Customizing diagram shapes
- Getting started with sequence diagrams 🎥
- Commenting in Whimsical files
- Using sections on the Whimsical canvas
- Mentions in Whimsical files
- Customizing diagram shapes
- Sketch on the canvas with freehand drawing
- Annotating files for more detail
- Text-to-object pasting options
- Adding and displaying links in Whimsical files
- Linking to sections and objects
- How to draw a line
- How to filter by selected objects
- Presenting in Whimsical
- Voting on cards and sticky notes
- Using the timer in boards
- Working with the grid and auto-alignment
- Working with connectors
- Does Whimsical have cloud architecture icons?
- Using tables in Whimsical
- Using sticky notes in boards
- Optimizing performance in larger files
- Embedding external content into Whimsical
- Using spellcheck
- Setting custom thumbnails
- How overlays work in Wireframe mode
- Hiding cursors while collaborating
- Getting started with sequence diagrams 🎥
- Customizing file and folder icons
- How to draw a line
- How to filter by selected objects
- Does Whimsical have cloud architecture icons?
- How overlays work in Wireframe mode
- Moving and copying files
- Using Whimsical on mobile
- Does Whimsical have a dark mode?
- File version history
- Why are the colors of some elements toned down?
- Does Whimsical support offline mode?
- Teams, workspaces & sections explained
- Does Whimsical work on iPad?
- Free viewers commenting in workspaces
- Syntax highlighting in code blocks
- Whimsical desktop app
- Is Whimsical available in other languages?
- Inverting the zoom direction in Whimsical so it works more like Sketch
- Troubleshooting issues and reporting bugs
- How to add emojis
- Team FAQs
- How to restore files from Trash
- Searching in your Whimsical workspace
- Organizing files in your workspace
- I've upgraded but still don't have access to the paid features
- Why can't I edit my files?
- Reporting content in Whimsical
- Does Whimsical have an affiliate or referral program?
- Collaborating with others in real time
- Sharing files and managing access permissions
- Hiding cursors while collaborating
- Prevent new workspace creation
- How to create a new workspace
- Requesting file access
- Workspace discovery settings
- Sorting files and folders
- Changing workspace members' roles
- Setting up SAML session expiry
- Adding and removing members
- Creating and managing teams
- Requesting workspace editor access
- Linking between files
- Member roles in Whimsical
- How to delete a workspace
- How to upgrade your workspace
- Guest access
- Renaming your workspace
- Offboarding users
- Embedding & integrating boards with Jira Issues
- Integrating Whimsical with Google Docs
- Embedding files in ClickUp views
- Embedding files in Asana
- Embedding Whimsical files
- Whimsical AI Diagrams for ChatGPT
- Creating Jira & Confluence Smart Links for Whimsical Files
- Embedding files in Guru
- Embedding files in Trello
- Embedding & integrating boards in Notion
- Integrating Whimsical and Front
- Integrating Whimsical and GitHub
- Embedding files in Almanac
- Embedding files in Zendesk
- Support Whimsical embeds in your app with EmbedKit
- Whimsical previews and notifications in Slack
- Embedding files in Canva
- Integrating Whimsical and Linear
- Embedding files in Nuclino
- Embedding files in Monday
- Embedding files in Medium
- Embedding files in Slab
- Embedding files in Coda
- Setting up Two-factor Authentication (2FA)
- Prevent new workspace creation
- SAML SSO in Whimsical
- SAML SSO with Okta
- Setting up SAML session expiry
- SAML SSO with Auth0
- Whitelisting Whimsical domains
- SAML SSO with OneLogin
- SCIM provisioning with Groups in Okta
- SAML SSO with Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD)
- Setting up SCIM with Okta
- SAML SSO with Google Workspace (previously G-Suite)
- Setting up SCIM with JumpCloud
- SAML SSO with other identity providers
- Setting up SCIM with Entra ID (Azure AD)
- Signing in with your Whimsical account on multiple devices
- Contact us
Sketch on the canvas with freehand drawing
For freedom and flexibility, sometimes you just need to sketch or scribble your ideas on the canvas. This is easy in boards with “Freehand Drawing”, which includes two markers, a highlighter, and an eraser.
You can draw on and around other objects (like flowchart shapes, or wireframe elements), or create quick designs entirely with the marker. For best results when drawing freehand, use:
- Safari on iPad with an Apple pencil.
- Desktop computer with a mouse, or “Wacom” style pen tablet.
How to draw freehand in WhimsicalLink to this section
In a board you can switch to freehand with the pencil icon in the toolbar, or by pressing the H key to draw different shapes or lines:
Tip: Access the highlighter directly by pressing Shift + H .
Then, with the freehand menu open, choose from:
- The marker
- The highlighter
- The eraser
- The selector
The marker is available in two sizes (thin or thick) and both the marker and highlighter are available in the different colors of your theme:
Note: The highlighter doesn’t support the lightest colors (white, smoke & gray).
To erase more content at once, zoom out and the eraser will maintain its size:
Shape detectionLink to this section
For more structured drawing switch on “Detect Shapes” and any rectangle, circle, straight line, or diamond will be recognized and made uniform:
Drawings can be resized, moved, or erased, like so:
It’s also easy to change the style of an existing drawing. Just select it, then choose a different pen type, or color:
