Differences between Classic Whiteboard and Zoom Whiteboard

Classic whiteboards offer an older, less advanced interface with less features (ex: lack of persistence between meetings ) and limited annotation tools.

Classic and new Zoom Whiteboards are not wildly different. Most of the changes from Classic to New are integration and design changes. The majority of the same features carry over from classic to new, and new whiteboards have had additional features added.

How to use a Classic Whiteboard

By default, references to the classic Zoom Whiteboard will redirect to the new Zoom Whiteboard. But, if preferred, users can choose to continue using the classic whiteboard.

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
2. For account, click "Account Management," then "Account Settings." For Users, click "Settings." For group admins, click "User Management," then "Groups," and select the applicable group. From here, the instructions are identical for all use cases.
3. Click the meeting tab.
4. Under "In Meeting(Basic)" click the "Whiteboard(Classic)" toggle to turn the feature on or off.
5. If needed, confirm the change in the verification dialogue.
6. Select "Use Whiteboard by default if available" if you would like to use the new Zoom Whiteboard during meetings.
7. Click Save.
8. These instructions are paraphrased from the Zoom tutorial, if wanting to learn more and review requirements. Click here.
9. Sharing a classic whiteboard

Requirements for using Zoom Whiteboards

• Zoom Desktop or Mobile Client(Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS): All clients require use of Zoom's Global minimum version or higher
• Devices must also meet Zoom's minimum system requirements or higher
• Zoom Web App
• Requirements can also be reviewed on Zoom's "Getting Started" KB

Note: If you believe you should be able to access Zoom Whiteboards, but cannot, please contact the DoIT Helpdesk.

Create a Zoom Whiteboard

The process of creating a Zoom Whiteboard is different depending on the client being used, but all methods are fairly similar in process.

1. Sign in to the chosen client
• On the meeting controls, find and click the Whiteboards button.
• Click "New Whiteboard," this will create an interactive whiteboard in the meeting.
2. Desktop, Web Portal, and Web App Instructions:
• Click the Whiteboards button.
• In the top-right, click the "New" or "+ New Whiteboard" button to create a new interactive whiteboard.
3. Mobile Client Instructions:
• Tap the "More" button on the bottom of the screen. This will open a menu with options.
• In the menu, tap "Added Features" and tap "Whiteboards" in the menu that opens.
• In the top-right corner, click the "New" button to create a new interactive whiteboard.

Whiteboard Tools Overview

Zoom Whiteboard offers multiple tools. Each one is available on the left sidebar on a whiteboard. Learn more about each feature.

Basic Whiteboard Functions

Zoom Whiteboards have a variety of different features. This section will summarize the basic features. For an in-depth explanation of each feature, click here.

1. For all of these functions, first, create or open a Zoom Whiteboard
• Changing the display name of a Zoom Whiteboard.
• Ensure you have editor access to the whiteboard.
• On the top-left of the whiteboard, click the title and change the text to the new display name.
2. Sharing a Zoom Whiteboard
• On the top-right of the whiteboard, click the "share" button.
• For each user you want to share the whiteboard with, enter their email address and set the permissions you would like them to have.
• Click "Share Whiteboard" and copy the link if needed.
• Learn about sharing a whiteboard here.
3. Deleting a whiteboard
• On the top-left of the whiteboard, click the "More Actions" icon(the paper with three lines).
• Click board, then click "Move to Trash".
• Confirm deletion in the verification dialogue.
• Learn more about deletion/recovery from Zoom, here(deletion) and here(recovery).

Whiteboard shortcuts

Whiteboard shortcuts assist productivity and make tasks more efficient. Keyboard and mouse shortcuts can be found here.

Things to keep in mind

• Whiteboards cannot be shared with those who do not have a functioning Zoom account.
• The new version of Zoom Whiteboard(discussed here) and the old version(classic whiteboards) cannot be used simultaneously.
• Each whiteboard's storage capacity is limited to 200MB.
• PDFs will split into multiple smaller files for display, but the total size will count toward the storage capacity.
• The maximum size for a single PDF is 35MB.
• The maximum size for a single image(PNG or JPG) is 5MB.
• The maximum number of characters allowed in a string is 5000. Extra characters will be cut off/removed.