How to use the whiteboard in Zoom

Most businesses, regardless of size, depend on technology to keep things running smoothly. Many services, such as the Zoom video conferencing platform, make the process easier.

But Zoom does more than just make work meetings more efficient, it's also a great tool for online learning. Many universities use Zoom, and it's the best way to host a webinar of any kind. This is largely due to the Whiteboard feature. But what is a Zoom whiteboard and how exactly do you use it?

How to Access the Zoom Whiteboard

One of the best things about Zoom is how easy it is to share your screen with any attendees or attendees. And one of the things you can share is the whiteboard. It's the same as a traditional whiteboard found in any classroom or conference room, except it's virtual.

If during your meeting you need to write or draw something on the whiteboard, just:

1. Select "Share Screen" on the Zoom control panel.
   

   

2. You will see Basic, Advanced and Files tabs. Select the Basic tab.
   

   

3. Select the "Whiteboard" window and click "Share".
   

   

4. When you're done, click "Stop Sharing."
   

   

When you open the whiteboard, you will immediately see the annotation tools. You can hide them or reveal them again if you tap the Whiteboard option on the Zoom meeting controls. You will also see page controls in the lower right corner of the screen. This means you can create new pages and switch between existing pages.

And here's the thing, if you have enabled the dual monitor feature, you can have multiple screen sharing whiteboards at the same time. So, as in many conference rooms and classrooms, there are two whiteboards side by side. Basic sharing functionality includes the whiteboard, but you can also share PowerPoint presentations or your desktop screen.

Whiteboard annotation tools

When you share a screen like the whiteboard with other Zoom room participants, you can use the annotation tools. Note that if you are the host, you can disable this feature. Annotation tools include insert text, draw, note, select, stamp, spotlight, arrow, erase and many other useful features. You can also change the color of the whiteboard itself.

And you can use "Save", which means you will get a screenshot of a current whiteboard screen, which will be saved in the designated location. But it is important to keep in mind that before using annotations, you need to enable them in the Zoom web portal. Here's how:

1. Go to the Zoom web portal and log in to your account.
   

   

2. Select “Account Management” then “Account Settings”.
   

   

3. Make sure "Annotations" is enabled under "Meeting".
   

   

You are now free to start a whiteboard session with all the annotation tools at your disposal.

Pro tip: You can use the smart recognition drawing feature on the Zoom whiteboard. Draw a circle for example, and Zoom will recognize the shape and smooth the lines.

Advanced Sharing Features

The whiteboard is one of the most popular share screen features in Zoom. But there are several other sharing options hiding under the "Advanced" tab when you click the "Share Screen" icon in the Zoom meeting panel. Here's what else you can share with Zoom.

part of the screen

It does exactly what it says. It allows you to share only part of your screen. When you select this option, you will see a rectangle that you can then move around. In turn, you can shape and stretch to choose exactly which part of your screen you want other participants to see. This can be really useful when you're in a rush and don't particularly want to declutter your desk.

Computer sound only

This is another very handy feature. Sometimes it is not necessary to share a video at all, as an audio clip will suffice. By selecting this option, you can share your computer audio while leaving out the video.

2nd camera content

If you have a built-in webcam on your laptop, it can be tricky to handle video. That's why Zoom lets you effortlessly switch between cameras. So, apart from the integrated webcam, you can have other cameras displaying the image you want, without having to move around the laptop.

Make the Most of the Zoom Whiteboard

There's no such thing as a blank canvas. It's full of possibilities. And when someone shares their whiteboard, they're ready to help you visualize things better. Maybe it's a bit of math in a classroom, or maybe it's how to draw the best comic.

Or a hand-drawn graphic you imagined in a moment of inspiration. It's good to have the Zoom whiteboard when you need it. If you have the dual monitor system, you can have two whiteboards, and things can be doubly interesting.

Have you ever used the Whiteboard feature in Zoom? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments section below.