How do I create and link notes in the new iOS 17 Notes app

How to Create Links Between Notes in iOS 17 Notes

To create a link to another note within the Notes app on an iPhone running iOS 17, follow these simple methods:

- Using Long Press or Word Selection: Open a note, then either long press on a blank space or double-tap a word or phrase you want to link from. This action brings up a contextual menu.
- Selecting "Add Link": From the menu that appears, tap the arrow on the right until you see the "Add Link" option.
- Linking to Another Note: You can either type the name of the note you want to link to or paste a web URL. As you type the note's title, matching notes will appear to select from.
- Naming the Link: By default, the link will display the title of the linked note. You can toggle this setting off to provide custom display text for the link if preferred.
- Finalizing the Link: Tap "Done," and the selected text changes into an underlined hyperlink-style link. Tapping this link instantly opens the related note.

This linking does not only apply to within-notes but also supports URLs, enabling a broad range of connected content.

Faster Linking Using Keyboard Shortcuts

iOS 17 also supports a quicker way to add links while typing. Typing two greater-than symbols `>>` in a note invokes a list of your six most recently modified notes. From this list, tapping one will instantly insert a link to that note without leaving the keyboard. This makes creating interlinked, wiki-style collections of notes much more fluid and efficient. This feature is also available on iPadOS 17 and macOS Sonoma, supporting cross-device syncing of linked notes.

Editing and Managing Links

- Removing Links: To remove a link, select the entire linked text—which may require double-tapping near the link to bring up selection handles—then choose "Remove Link" from the contextual menu. The text remains, but the hyperlink is removed.
- Editing Link Text: You can change how the link text appears by toggling the option to use the note's title or typing custom text. This is useful for clarity or more descriptive links in your notes.

Use Cases and Benefits

The ability to link notes in iOS 17 Notes allows for rich organization and enhanced productivity:

- Structured Organization: Users can create detailed, interconnected systems of notes that mirror complex thought processes or workflows.
- Contextual Relationships: Connecting related notes improves understanding by showing how ideas or information pieces relate.
- Cross-referencing: Linking supports referencing between notes sharing topics, evidence, or tasks, enhancing comprehensive project or research management.
- Idea Generation and Creativity: Visual or clickable connections between disparate notes may spark new insights or help discover patterns.
- For example, planning a trip: one note lists destinations, linked notes hold restaurant recommendations and activity ideas. Clicking through these links makes the planning process cohesive and convenient.

Syncing and Accessibility

Links created in the Notes app are supported across all Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, ensuring consistent access to your linked note system throughout your workflow.

Summary of Steps to Link Notes in iOS 17

1. Open Notes and select a note.
2. Long press or double-tap to select text where you want to add a link.
3. Tap the arrow on the popup menu and select "Add Link."
4. Type the name of the note you want to link to or enter a web URL.
5. Decide whether to use the note's title or custom text for the link display.
6. Tap Done to insert the link.
7. To quickly add links, type `>>` and pick from recently edited notes.
8. Tap any link to jump directly to the linked note.
9. To remove a link, select it and choose "Remove Link."

This feature transforms the Notes app into a powerful tool for knowledge management, collaboration, and personal productivity by allowing easy exploration and association of ideas through linked notes.