Using the Scratchpad to save and edit notes

Last updated: June 5, 2026

Available on: Mac, Windows, iOS

Capture quick thoughts, drafts, and reminders without leaving Wispr Flow. Type or dictate your notes — they sync across your signed-in devices so you can pick up where you left off.

What it is

Wispr Flow includes two related note-taking experiences that share the same synced backend:

  • Desktop Scratchpad (Mac, Windows): A floating window with a multi-tab rich-text editor, image attachments, and a sidebar.

  • iOS Notes: A plain-text editor with markdown preview, voice dictation, Siri shortcuts, and Spotlight indexing.

When to use it

Use Scratchpad or Notes when you want to:

  • Jot down quick thoughts or ideas on the go.

  • Draft content you plan to paste or dictate into another app later.

  • Dictate text directly into a note using voice input.

  • Paste images into a note on desktop and have them appear on your other signed-in desktop devices.

How it works in Flow

Overview

Notes auto-save as you type, sync via the cloud, and stay available offline. Write by typing or tap the microphone to dictate. On desktop, pasted images sync alongside your text so notes look the same on every desktop device where you're signed in.

Key behaviors

  • Notes order: Notes display newest-first, including older notes created before modification dates were tracked.

  • Voice dictation: Tap the microphone to start dictating — a waveform appears while you speak. Tap the green checkmark to insert the transcribed text at your cursor, or tap the X to cancel. A brief spinner shows while transcription finishes.

  • Sync status: A progress indicator appears during sync. A cloud checkmark means sync is complete; a slashed cloud means you're offline. Pull down on the notes list to trigger a sync.

  • Image sync (desktop only): Images pasted into a note upload to secure cloud storage and download automatically on your other signed-in desktop devices. Each note can contain up to 10 images. If an image fails to sync, your note's text still syncs normally.

  • Offline support: Notes save locally and sync automatically when you're back online.

  • Markdown preview (iOS): Write markdown in edit mode, then exit edit mode to see it rendered. Toggle between modes with the book/pencil button in the toolbar.

  • Keyboard dismissal (iOS): The keyboard dismisses when you tap the notes list outside the search field or tap the floating + button to add a new note.

  • Spotlight search (iOS): Notes are indexed in Spotlight so you can find them from your home screen.

  • Siri shortcuts and widgets (iOS): Use Siri shortcuts to "Create a Flow Note" (hands-free dictation without opening the app), "Quick Dictate to Notes", and "Open Flow Notes". A Lock Screen widget and a Control Center widget (iOS 18+) deep-link to Notes.

  • Auto Open Note: Off by default. Turn it on in Settings to automatically open a new note when the Notes tab is in view and the app becomes active.

  • Focus behavior (Mac): Scratchpad opens as a floating panel and doesn't steal focus from your active app, so you can keep typing elsewhere while it's visible.

Common issues

Bugs fixed in recent updates

Update Wispr Flow to the latest version and restart the app to pick up these fixes:

  • Images in a note weren't appearing on other devices (desktop). Previously, only the text of notes synced — images stayed local and showed as broken placeholders elsewhere. Images you paste now upload to secure cloud storage and download automatically on your other signed-in desktop devices.

  • Opening Scratchpad interrupted typing in another app (Mac). The Scratchpad window used to take focus from your active app. It now opens as a floating panel and leaves your foreground app active.

  • Clicking certain links did nothing (desktop Scratchpad). Links that open in a new window — such as middle-click links or links on sites like DoorDash — weren't handled inside Scratchpad. They now open as a new Scratchpad web tab with your login session preserved.

  • Notes displayed in the wrong order. Older notes without a recorded modification date weren't consistently sorted newest-first. Notes now always display newest-first, including legacy notes.

FAQs

Where are my notes stored?

Notes sync via the cloud. If you're offline, they save locally and sync when you reconnect. On desktop, pasted images are stored in secure cloud storage and sync to your other signed-in desktop devices.

Can I format notes with markdown?

Yes, on iOS. Write markdown in edit mode, then exit edit mode to see the formatted version.

What image formats can I paste into a note?

On desktop, you can paste or drop PNG, JPEG, WebP, GIF, and BMP images. Each image must be 5 MB or smaller, and very large images are automatically resized. Image attachments are not supported on iOS.

What happens if an image fails to sync?

Your note's text still syncs to your other desktop devices normally — only the affected image will be missing until sync succeeds. Failed uploads are retried automatically.

Can I find notes from outside the app?

Yes, on iOS. Notes are indexed in Spotlight, so you can search for them from your home screen. Spotlight indexing is not available on desktop.

Limitations and notes

  • Scratchpad and Notes are available on Mac, Windows, and iOS, but the desktop and iOS experiences differ substantially.

  • On desktop, each image must be 5 MB or smaller, and each note can contain up to 10 images.

  • Image attachments are not supported on iOS.

  • Notes always display newest-first; custom sorting is not available.