Disable Scratchpad (Notes) for your organization

Last updated: September 13, 2026

Available on: Mac (Enterprise organizations)

Enterprise admins can turn Scratchpad off for everyone in their organization. While it's off, Scratchpad is hidden across the app and no notes can be created, synced, or opened until an admin re-enables it.

How to enable or disable Scratchpad for your organization

  1. Sign in to the admin portal at admin.wisprflow.ai.

  2. Go to Settings → Organization.

  3. Find the Scratchpad setting in the Notetaker / access section.

  4. Select Enabled for everyone (default) or Disabled for everyone.

  5. Confirm the warning if disabling. Either choice saves immediately in the admin portal and reaches members the next time their app syncs enterprise settings.

Warning: Unsaved Scratchpad text may be lost when the disable policy syncs to a member's device. Saved notes stay on members' devices and return when Scratchpad is re-enabled.

What changes for members

While Scratchpad is disabled

  • Entry points: Notes / Scratchpad is removed from the Hub sidebar and navigation, and the Flow Bar entry point is hidden. Pressing the shortcut or clicking an entry point does nothing — no error or blocked-access screen.

  • Hub keyboard navigation: Notes is skipped by Opt+↑/Opt+↓ page cycling and back/forward history.

  • Settings and hotkey: The Scratchpad settings panel and the Open Scratchpad shortcut are hidden; the shortcut is set aside and won't conflict with other shortcuts.

  • Open windows: Scratchpad windows already open close automatically when the policy syncs.

  • Integrations: Access to Scratchpad notes from connected tools and extensions is refused, and no Scratchpad tab opens.

  • Polish fallback: Where Polish would normally open Scratchpad because it can't paste into a text field, members see a "text not editable" notification instead, and the polished text is copied to the clipboard to paste manually.

When Scratchpad is re-enabled

  • Saved notes return as they were; nothing is deleted. Notes blocked while disabled reappear after a full re-sync.

  • The keyboard shortcut is restored, unless a member rebound that key while the policy was off — then they reassign it manually.

  • No window opens automatically; Scratchpad is accessible again.

  • Integration access, the restored shortcut, and synced notes return the next time each member's app syncs enterprise settings.

FAQs

Can individual members override the org-wide Scratchpad policy?

No. Members can view the current setting in Settings, but only admins can change it.

Does this policy apply to the mobile app?

Enforcement applies to the Mac desktop app. Check the admin portal for additional platform coverage.

Limitations and notes

  • Scratchpad org policy is available to Enterprise organizations only, not on Team or individual plans.

  • Desktop enforcement applies on Mac. Windows desktop is not yet available for Enterprise.

  • Some members may not see Scratchpad yet even when the org policy is set to "Enabled for everyone."

  • Enabling the org-wide HIPAA setting disables both Notetaker and Scratchpad for the organization, and blocks cross-device features.