Prefer handwriting your patient’s treatment notes instead of typing 📝? In this article, we’ll cover the different handwriting to text options you have available for both Apple and Android devices. This includes:
Before getting started, feel free to check out our video overview covering how it all works!
Read on for more details 🙌!
Enable Scribble on iPad
Depending on your iPad model, you can use an Apple Pencil and the iOS 14 feature called Scribble to automatically convert your handwriting to text — directly on your iPad!
Scribble converts your handwriting to text directly on your iPad, so anything you write (including your patient's treatment notes) stays private.
In order to enable Scribble, you'll first need to update your iPad to iOS 14:
On your iPad go to the Settings App → General → Software Update.
Tap Download and Install.
Once your iPad restarts, under Software Update you should then see the current version of the iOS you're currently on:
Scribble will now be enabled but can be turned off at any time by heading to the Settings App → Apple Pencil, then turn off Scribble.
Using the Apple Pencil in Cliniko
Once Scribble is enabled on your iPad, with the Apple Pencil you can now handwrite in any text field on Cliniko. Scribble will then automatically convert your handwriting into typed text.
Try using Scribble to search patient names, add billable items to invoices, create dashboard messages, and of course write treatment notes!
Scribble also has a number of shortcuts built in to make writing a breeze:
Deleting a word: Scratch it out.
Selecting text: Draw a circle around the text or draw a line through it to select.
Inserting text: Touch and hold in a text area, then write in the space that opens.
Joining or separating characters: Draw a vertical line between them.
Scribble even works when your handwriting extends beyond the edges of the text field! No longer do you have to "stay within the lines" when writing.
Alternative handwriting apps
If your device does not support the Apple Pencil, you can still use a stylus throughout Cliniko using some alternatives.
One option is to install a 3rd party handwriting to text app. Some examples include Mazec (not sponsored) or Android's Google Keyboard (called Gboard).
These apps allow you to switch your keyboard as needed to a handwriting keyboard so you can handwrite text on your phone or tablet — with or without a stylus.
Enabling Android handwriting keyboard
If you're using an Android device, there is a built-in handwriting keyboard available. Once enabled, you can write by hand or stylus and it'll automatically translate your handwriting into text.
To enable, first make sure to download and install the latest version of Google’s Gboard app.
On your Android phone or tablet, open Cliniko. Tap where you can enter text (for example when creating a dashboard message). You should then see a keyboard appear at the bottom of your screen. At the top left of the keyboard, tap open features menu (looks like ">"):
Tap the Settings icon then tap Languages and the language you want to use:
Swipe right and enable the Handwriting keyboard. If you don’t see it, the Handwriting keyboard is not yet available for your selected language. Once enabled, tap Done.
You can now use the handwriting keyboard in all text fields on Cliniko 🙌! To switch to your new Handwriting keyboard, when the keyboard appears at the bottom of the screen, touch and hold Globe icon 🌐. You'll then see the option to change your keyboard:
Once you select the new handwriting keyboard, your keyboard will now become a blank writing area where you can start handwriting words with your finger or stylus.
We hope this article helped! Our support team will be available to answer any questions, too, so send us a note if anything comes up (just click the "chat bubble" in the lower right-hand corner!). 💬