Annotation - ShareX Feature for Windows

Annotation Tools

ShareX's annotation system is built directly into the image editor, providing a powerful set of tools for marking up screenshots. Whether you're creating tutorials, reporting bugs, or providing design feedback, the annotation tools help you communicate visually.

Arrow and Pointer Tools

• Arrow — Draw arrows with customizable:
  • Arrowhead styles (filled, open, line)
  • Line thickness and color
  • Shadow effects for better visibility
  • Curved or straight paths
• Cursor — Insert a mouse cursor image to indicate where to click

Step Numbers

The step numbering system is ideal for creating tutorials:

1. Each click places a numbered circle (1, 2, 3...) on the screenshot
2. Numbers increment automatically
3. Customize the appearance: size, color, border, and shadow
4. Reset numbering for different sections of your tutorial
5. Combine with arrows and text for comprehensive guides

Text Annotations

Multiple text annotation styles are available:

Style	Use Case
Outline Text	Readable on any background — best for general annotations
Background Text	Colored rectangle behind text for strong emphasis
Plain Text	Simple text overlay without borders
Speech Bubble	Comic-style bubbles for conversational annotations

Shapes and Highlighting

• Rectangle / Ellipse — Draw borders around important areas
• Filled Shapes — Use semi-transparent fills to highlight regions
• Freehand — Draw custom shapes or write notes by hand
• Line — Connect related elements with straight lines

Obfuscation Tools

Protect sensitive information before sharing screenshots:

• Blur — Gaussian blur effect to fully hide text and details
• Pixelate — Block-style pixelation that obscures while keeping structure visible
• Highlight — Overlay a colored rectangle to draw attention rather than hide

Magnify Tool

• Create a magnified inset of any area on your screenshot
• Adjustable magnification level and size
• Perfect for drawing attention to small details
• Choose between circular and rectangular magnifier shapes

Workflow Efficiency

• All annotation tools are available from a single toolbar
• Keyboard shortcuts for quick tool switching
• Recent colors are saved for quick access
• Undo/Redo with no limit on history
• Copy individual annotations between screenshots