Military officer smiling while standing in front of a SMART Board displaying a weather system, with annotations and tools visible.

Getting started

SMART Ink for Government

Use this page to guide the installation and setup of your SMART Ink^®.

What is SMART Ink?
See SMART Ink in action!
Frequently Asked Questions

What is SMART Ink?

SMART Ink^® is free software included with your SMART panel, allowing you to pick up a pen and annotate digital materials for collaborative problem-solving and quick decision-making in real time, whether in a training room or working with other agencies.

See SMART Ink in action!

Save What You Write

Write Without Overlay

Frequently Asked Questions

When is SMART Ink needed?

SMART Ink is needed to create an interactive meeting experience. Ink over any document on a connected computer and navigate seamlessly without frustrating overlays.
Who should download SMART Ink?

Any user who would like to connect their computer to a SMART interactive display and have inking capabilities will need to download SMART Ink software. SMART Ink is a computer application and is not installed on the SMART panel.
How do I download SMART Ink?

Download the SMART Ink drivers
How do I install SMART Ink to allow annotation?
Note: Connect the computer to the display with both HDMI and USB or single USB-C for interactivity.

Download the SMART Ink drivers from support.smarttech.com. Once they are installed:
Open SMART Ink Settings

Under General Settings, check:

Start SMART Ink when you log on

Erase ink after it’s converted to text

Click here to view the General Settings image

Under Toolbar Settings, check:

Always show pen toolbox

Click here to view the Toolbar Settings image
Under Microsoft Office Settings, check:

Use SMART Ink so that my ink doesn’t permanently affect my content

Enable the SMART PowerPoint plug-in

Click here to view the Microsoft Office Settings image

Select Apply
How do I annotate on PDF documents?

Annotations across PDF documents can be accomplished a couple of different ways and depends on your operating system.

Windows
Adobe Acrobat Reader

To be used with Adobe PDF files, SMART Ink must be installed on a computer with Adobe Acrobat Adobe Reader XI or Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. SMART Ink will not work with Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Learn more

Windows
SMART Ink Document Viewer

SMART Ink Document Viewer is available on your computer if you installed SMART Ink with SMART Notebook software or SMART Meeting Pro software.

Learn more

MAC
SMART Ink Document Viewer

SMART Ink Document Viewer is available on your computer if you installed SMART Ink with SMART Notebook software.

Learn more
How do I annotate in Microsoft applications (PowerPoint, Word, etc.?)

You can write with either SMART Ink or Microsoft Ink over Microsoft applications on your connected display. However, SMART Ink and Microsoft Ink interact in different ways with your documents.

Using SMART Ink
With SMART Ink, you are able to highlight important notes or draw attention to content in your document without making permanent changes. SMART Ink is captured in a transparent layer over your document and you can take screen captures to save your notes for later using the SMART screen capture tools.

Using Microsoft Ink
With Microsoft Ink, you are able to review or make changes to your document and ink is inserted directly into your document or file. Inserted ink is saved within the document, so the next time you open it, the ink will still be there.

Click here to view the Microsoft Office Settings image

Note: You can decide on default settings for Microsoft applications in SMART Ink Settings -> Microsoft Office^® Settings. Each setting includes an explanation of how each of the ink options will affect your documents and content.

Learn more about using SMART Ink with Microsoft Office

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Getting started

SMART Ink for Government

What is SMART Ink?

See SMART Ink in action!

Frequently Asked Questions