--- title: IdeaScale Whiteboard Canvas description: Creating, navigating, using the tools and collaborating with users on the board --- [Skip to content](https://help.ideascale.com/ideascale-whiteboard-canvas#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [![IdeaScale](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ideascale-logo.png?width=223&height=31&name=ideascale-logo.png)](https://help.ideascale.com/?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Go to ideascale.com](https://ideascale.com/) [Go to ideascale.com](https://ideascale.com/) Hi!👋 How can we help you today? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [IdeaScale Support Center](https://help.ideascale.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [IdeaScale Whiteboard](https://help.ideascale.com/ideascale-whiteboard?hsLang=en) # IdeaScale Whiteboard Canvas ## Creating, navigating, using the tools and collaborating with users on the board **Path: Workspace Homepage \>\> Navigation Panel \>\> Whiteboard** | What is the IdeaScale Whiteboard Canvas? | | --- | | The IdeaScale Whiteboard Canvas is a shared board where teams collaborate to ideate, brainstorm, and build solutions using workflow charts, images, connectors, sticky notes, and other visual elements. | The Whiteboard Canvas brings a team's brainstorming into one shared visual space. Members can create a board from a blank or pre-made template, add and arrange elements with the Tool Bar, and work together in real time through collaborator tracking, Live Chat, and board sharing. ![Screenshot 2026-06-24 at 11.31.05 AM](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-06-24%20at%2011.31.05%20AM.png?width=670&height=195&name=Screenshot%202026-06-24%20at%2011.31.05%20AM.png) --- ### Role Permissions 1. Board Creator: Creates new boards, edits the board name, shares the board, sets member permissions, and deletes the board. 2. Member with Edit permission: Adds, moves, edits, and deletes elements on the board. 3. Member with View permission: Views the board without making changes. --- **TABLE OF CONTENTS** [Creating a new board](https://help.ideascale.com/ideascale-whiteboard-canvas#Creatingnewboard) [Elements on the board](https://help.ideascale.com/ideascale-whiteboard-canvas#Elementsonboard) [Navigating the board](https://help.ideascale.com/ideascale-whiteboard-canvas#Navigatingtheboard) [Board Management Options](https://help.ideascale.com/ideascale-whiteboard-canvas#BoardManagementOptions) [Exceptions](https://help.ideascale.com/ideascale-whiteboard-canvas#Exceptions) [Frequently Asked Questions](https://help.ideascale.com/ideascale-whiteboard-canvas#FrequentlyAskedQuestions) --- ### **Creating a new board** A new board is created from the Whiteboard dashboard or from within a folder. 1. Navigate to the dashboard, or select a folder. 2. Select the New Board button. 3. Select Blank Template to start from an empty canvas, or select one of the available pre-made Templates. ![image 3](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%203.webp?width=670&height=329&name=image%203.webp) ***Note: Users accessing the free version of IdeaScale Whiteboard will be limited to 3 options of pre-made templates*** --- ### Navigating the board The board supports both touchpad and mouse navigation. Zoom buttons and a board map are also available in the bottom right corner of the screen as an alternative to gesture and mouse controls. ##### Touchpad Navigation 1. Pan: Swipe with two fingers to move across the board. 2. Zoom: Pinch to zoom in or out. ##### Mouse Navigation 1. Pan: Select the hand tool from the toolbar at the bottom (TO BE VERIFIED — the Tool Bar is described as being on the left side of the board elsewhere in this article), then select and drag the board. Right-click and drag also pans the board. 2. Zoom: Hold down the Control key while scrolling. ##### Returning to the Main Dashboard Selecting the IdeaScale Whiteboard logo next to the board name returns to the Main Dashboard. --- ### Elements on the board (Board Tools) Board elements are arranged in four areas of the screen to support creating, updating, and collaborating on the board. ##### Board Name and More Options The board name appears in the top left of the board and can be edited by double-clicking it. The More option next to the board name provides options to export the board as a sticky note and to delete the board. ![image 4](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%204.webp?width=534&height=188&name=image%204.webp) The Tool Bar is located on the left side of the board and provides the following tools for adding and organizing content: ![image 5](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%205.webp?width=94&height=233&name=image%205.webp) - **Move:** Moves elements such as text and shapes within the board. Select the element and drag it to a new position. Selecting an element displays its editing options: 1. Background color fill 2. Border 3. Font size 4. Font style: Bold, Italic, Underline, and Strikethrough 5. Indent 6. Position lock 7. More (three dots): Copy, Duplicate, Position Lock, Delete, Bring to Front, Send to Back, and Export as Image & PDF ![WB move-gif](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WB%20move-gif.gif?width=509&height=279&name=WB%20move-gif.gif) - **Notes:** Adds sticky notes to the board, with the same editing options as Move. ![image 6](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%206.webp?width=655&height=361&name=image%206.webp) - **Show Shapes:** Adds shapes to the board, including Rectangle, Circle, Triangle, Diamond, Rounded Rectangle, Star, Arrow, and Stickers, with the same editing options as Move. - **Show Task:** Adds a task created for the board. Select the task from the dropdown, then select any location on the board to place it. Selecting a placed task displays options to navigate to the Task Manager, lock its position, and More (three dots): Copy, Duplicate, Position Lock, Delete, and Export as Image & PDF. ![WB add task-gif](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WB%20add%20task-gif.gif?width=655&height=314&name=WB%20add%20task-gif.gif) - **Text:** Adds a text element to the board, with the same editing options as Move. - **Draw:** Draws on the board using the Pen or Marker option, with the same editing options as Move. - **Redo:** Restores the latest undone deletion or edit. - **Undo:** Reverses the latest deletion or edit. The third element is located in the upper right corner of the board and includes four essential tools: Show Collaborators, Live Chat, Share This Board, and Help Resources explained in Board Management Options. ![image 8](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%208.webp?width=302&height=189&name=image%208.webp) The fourth element Board Control provides options like a hand icon to move across the board effortlessly to explore different areas, zooming in and out, a board map as well as the ability to toggle the board to full-screen mode for an immersive viewing experience. ![image 9](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%209.webp?width=353&height=103&name=image%209.webp) --- ### Board Management Options The upper right corner of the board contains four tools: Show Collaborators, Live Chat, Share This Board, and Help & Resources. Each is described in Board Management Options below. **Mouse Tracking:** Mouse Tracking is ON by default and displays the cursors and actions of other collaborators on the board. ![12](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/12.webp?width=670&height=481&name=12.webp) **Share this board:** Share This Board shares the board with others by email or through a sharing link. Permissions can be set for individuals or groups to either edit the board or view it only. See Exceptions below for who can access a shared board. ![13](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/13.webp?width=670&height=561&name=13.webp) **Collaborators:** The Collaborators tab lists all participants currently active on the board. **Live Chat:** Live Chat provides real-time messaging for participants on the board to discuss and exchange ideas while collaborating. **Help & Resources:** Help & Resources provides information for navigating and understanding the board, organized into the following sections: ![14](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/14.webp?width=670&height=486&name=14.webp) **Shortcut List:** A full list of shortcuts for board tools, navigation, zooming, selection, and text editing. **Quick Guide:** An overview of all tools, controls, and actions available on the board. **Take a tour:** A guided walkthrough of the steps and functionality available in IdeaScale Whiteboard. --- ### Exceptions 1. Free Version Templates: Members using the free version of IdeaScale Whiteboard are limited to 3 pre-made templates. 2. Shared Board Access: A board shared by email or sharing link is visible only to members with access to its associated campaign. For public campaigns, this includes all community members; for private campaigns, only members granted access to the campaign can participate. --- ### Frequently Asked Questions ##### Why can't a shared member open the board? Board access follows access to the associated campaign. If the campaign is private, only members granted access to that campaign can view the board, even when they receive the sharing link or email. ##### How many templates are available on the free version? The free version of IdeaScale Whiteboard offers 3 pre-made templates, along with the Blank Template. ##### Can an accidental deletion on the board be reversed? Yes. Undo reverses the latest deletion or edit, and Redo restores it again if needed. ##### How can collaborators' activity be seen on the board? Mouse Tracking, which is ON by default, shows other collaborators' cursors and actions. The Collaborators tab lists everyone currently active on the board. ##### Can a task be added to the board from the Tool Bar? Yes. Show Task adds any task created for the board by selecting it from the dropdown and placing it on the board. --- **Related Articles** - [Help Article for IdeaScale Whiteboard](https://help.ideascale.com/ideascale-whiteboard-dashboard?hsLang=en) - [Help Article for Task Manager](https://help.ideascale.com/ideascale-whiteboard-task-manager?hsLang=en) Last Updated: October 1, 2026 - [Product Updates](https://help.ideascale.com/product-updates?hsLang=en#main-content) - [2026](https://help.ideascale.com/product-updates?hsLang=en#2026) - [2025](https://help.ideascale.com/product-updates?hsLang=en#2025) - [Workspace](https://help.ideascale.com/workspace?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Workspace Homepage](https://help.ideascale.com/workspace?hsLang=en#workspace-homepage) - [Manage Workspace](https://help.ideascale.com/manage-workspace?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Workspace Configuration](https://help.ideascale.com/manage-workspace?hsLang=en#workspace-configuration) - [Email Settings](https://help.ideascale.com/manage-workspace?hsLang=en#email-settings) - 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