Upgrade StorageImprove Annotation Tool Usability: Remember Font/Color Settings and Allow Numeric Input
I would like to raise a feature request regarding the usability of two annotation tools in the built-in PDF reader: Add Text and Freehand Drawing.
These tools are heavily used in academic reading workflows, especially when annotating complex technical PDFs, writing explanations directly on slides/figures, or using a stylus to draw freely on the document. Currently, two UI limitations significantly hinder efficiency.
1. Annotation settings are not preserved
For both Add Text and Freehand Drawing:
Font size is reset to default every time
Color is also reset every time
Stroke width for drawing is not remembered
This means that every time I reopen a PDF or switch between tools, I have to manually readjust these settings. This becomes extremely time-consuming when annotating many pages or working with multiple documents in parallel.
Request:
Please allow Zotero to automatically remember the most recently used settings for each annotation tool, at least within the same device.
Even a simple "use last-used settings" behavior (like most PDF editors implement) would dramatically improve usability.
2. No numeric input for font size / stroke width
The current UI only provides a slider, whose range is very large and whose granularity is fine.
This makes it difficult to choose consistent sizes—especially when working with handwriting or placing multiple text annotations that should have the same style.
For example:
Choosing size 16 vs 18 is almost impossible
Choosing a specific pen thickness is also difficult
Request:
Please add a numeric input field next to the slider (as used in many PDF editors and design tools).
This would allow precise control and consistent annotation formatting.
Other PDF readers (Xodo, Foxit, Drawboard, etc.) support both persistent settings and numeric input, and these features greatly improve productivity for researchers.
3. Summary of requested improvements
①.Remember last-used font size, color, and stroke width for
Add Text tool
Freehand Drawing tool
②. Allow numeric input for
Font size
Stroke width
③. Keep sliders as optional, but provide precise control for users who need consistency.
Thank you for considering this request.
These small improvements would make a major difference for researchers who annotate PDFs intensively in Zote
These tools are heavily used in academic reading workflows, especially when annotating complex technical PDFs, writing explanations directly on slides/figures, or using a stylus to draw freely on the document. Currently, two UI limitations significantly hinder efficiency.
1. Annotation settings are not preserved
For both Add Text and Freehand Drawing:
Font size is reset to default every time
Color is also reset every time
Stroke width for drawing is not remembered
This means that every time I reopen a PDF or switch between tools, I have to manually readjust these settings. This becomes extremely time-consuming when annotating many pages or working with multiple documents in parallel.
Request:
Please allow Zotero to automatically remember the most recently used settings for each annotation tool, at least within the same device.
Even a simple "use last-used settings" behavior (like most PDF editors implement) would dramatically improve usability.
2. No numeric input for font size / stroke width
The current UI only provides a slider, whose range is very large and whose granularity is fine.
This makes it difficult to choose consistent sizes—especially when working with handwriting or placing multiple text annotations that should have the same style.
For example:
Choosing size 16 vs 18 is almost impossible
Choosing a specific pen thickness is also difficult
Request:
Please add a numeric input field next to the slider (as used in many PDF editors and design tools).
This would allow precise control and consistent annotation formatting.
Other PDF readers (Xodo, Foxit, Drawboard, etc.) support both persistent settings and numeric input, and these features greatly improve productivity for researchers.
3. Summary of requested improvements
①.Remember last-used font size, color, and stroke width for
Add Text tool
Freehand Drawing tool
②. Allow numeric input for
Font size
Stroke width
③. Keep sliders as optional, but provide precise control for users who need consistency.
Thank you for considering this request.
These small improvements would make a major difference for researchers who annotate PDFs intensively in Zote
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martynas_bAll of this is planned, and you are right about its importance. We'll do it.