Convert PDF to annotated notes and study guides instantly.
Learn how to transform any PDF to annotated notes using AI. Duetoday simplifies your study sessions by creating organized, interactive notes from your documents.
PDF to annotated notes
Transforming a PDF to annotated notes is the most efficient way to master complex material without spending hours on manual transcription. With the right AI tools, you can turn dense academic papers or corporate reports into structured, easy-to-digest study aids in seconds.
TL;DR:
Upload any document to instantly generate structured, summarized, and annotated content.
Create interactive study tools like flashcards and quizzes directly from your PDF data.
Customizable outputs allow you to focus on specific chapters or difficulty levels.
How to do PDF to annotated notes in Duetoday (step-by-step)
Create your account: Log into Duetoday and head to your dashboard to start a new project.
Upload your PDF: Drag and drop your file into the uploader. Ensure the text is readable for the best results.
Rename headings: Once the file processes, use the editor to rename headings so your notes follow a logical flow that matches your syllabus.
Select 'Annotate': Choose the annotation feature to have the AI identify key terms, concepts, and difficult passages.
Split chapters: If your PDF is a full textbook, use the split tool to generate notes for one specific chapter at a time to keep them focused.
Choose note style: Select between Cornell notes, outlines, or bulleted summaries depending on how you prefer to review.
Customize question style: If you want your annotations to include self-testing, choose between multiple-choice or short-answer prompt styles.
Refine with the AI Tutor: Use the sidebar chat to ask, Can you elaborate on the annotation in section 2? to get deeper insights.
Highlight key takeaways: Toggle the 'Summary' mode to ensure every section ends with a high-level takeaway.
Review and Edit: Manually adjust any specific annotations to add your personal thoughts or lecture insights.
Export your work: Save your newly created notes as a PDF or export them to your favorite note-taking app.
What you can generate from your PDF
Annotated Summaries: Detailed breakdowns with margin notes explain complex jargon.
Flashcards: Definition-based cards and cloze deletions generated from your text.
Practice Quizzes: Adaptive questions that test your knowledge of the annotated sections.
AI Tutor Chat: A dedicated bot that knows your PDF and can answer specific questions about the content.
Upload Your PDF Here
Mini example: Corporate Finance (Intro to Bonds)
Input: A 10-page PDF explaining yield to maturity, coupon rates, and bond valuation formulas.
Output (Annotated Notes):
Term: Coupon Rate - [Annotation: This is the fixed interest payment, usually paid annually or semi-annually.]
Concept: Inverse Relationship - [Annotation: When market interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Crucial for the exam!]
Formula: YTM - [Annotation: Complex calculation; use the AI tutor to walk through a practice problem step-by-step.]
Summary: Bonds are debt instruments where the issuer owes the holders a debt and is obliged to pay interest.
Tips to get higher-quality results
Clean your PDF: Remove blank pages, table of contents, or irrelevant appendices before uploading to save processing time.
Provide context: Mention your grade level or the specific exam you are studying for to tailor the annotation depth.
Chunk your data: For massive files, upload section by section to get the most detailed and granular annotations possible.
Use clear headings: If your PDF lacks structure, use the Duetoday editor to add headers so the AI understands the hierarchy.
Troubleshooting
Scanned PDF is blurry → Try using a mobile scanning app to create a flatter, clearer PDF version before uploading.
Output is too generic → Use the 'Focus' tool to highlight specific paragraphs that need more detailed annotations.
Formatting looks off → Use the 'Clean Layout' button to re-standardize the font and spacing of your generated notes.
File too large → Split the PDF into smaller files (under 50MB) to ensure smooth processing.
Final Step
Ready to stop wasting hours on manual highlighting? Turn your next PDF to annotated notes in seconds with Duetoday. Start organizing your study material more effectively and give yourself more time to actually learn the content.
Try Duetoday today and transform the way you study.
Duetoday is an AI-powered learning OS that turns your study materials into personalised, bite-sized study guides, cheat sheets, and active learning flows.
