Touch, Apple Pencil and stylus

How to read and write with your fingers and Apple Pencil on iPad, including the left-handed layout.

Applies to Mendeley and Zotero editions iPad Free

This feature is not in the Windows app.

Touch gestures

What you wantiPad
Turn the pageScroll
Show or hide the menusIn Reading Mode, the round pen-tip button on the right edge
ZoomPinch
Select textLong-press a word, then drag the handles
Put a sticky noteChoose the Sticky note tool, then tap the page
Switch papersSwipe sideways from the edge of the screen

Apple Pencil (iPad)

  • iPadTurn on Ink ON in the status bar at the bottom, then write with Apple Pencil (or a finger). Turn it off to use highlights, sticky notes and the other tools again. See Handwriting.
  • iPadDouble-tap (Apple Pencil 2) and squeeze (Apple Pencil Pro) follow your iPad's Apple Pencil settings: switch to the eraser, go back to the previous tool, or show the palette.
  • iPadThe palette has a pen, the HL Pen, an eraser and a button that turns handwriting off.
  • iPadWith a Pencil that supports hover, a ring shows the color and width before you touch the page.
  • iPadIn Reading Mode, double-tap or squeeze also shows or hides the menus.

Left-handed layout

  • iPadLeft-handed (controls on the left) in the reader's settings moves the floating buttons to the left side.

On Windows Windows

WindowsWindows treats a touch screen and a pen like a mouse: tap to click, drag to select. You can write with a pen or a finger using the Pen tool. See Mouse, right-click and drag.

Updated September 20, 2026