Pointing at things while you share your screen keeps a meeting on track: circle the figure you're talking about, underline the line of code, draw an arrow to the button. Each meeting app handles this differently. Here's what's built in, and how to draw over anything in any of them.

Zoom

Zoom has an Annotate tool while you share your screen. Start sharing, then choose Annotate from the sharing toolbar (it may be under More). You get a pen, text, shapes, a spotlight and an eraser, and the host can choose whether attendees can annotate too.

Watch out for: Zoom's annotation only works inside a Zoom screen share, and its toolbar sits over your content. If you present in other apps or record outside Zoom, you'll need a different tool.

Microsoft Teams

Teams includes an annotation option for screen sharing in some meetings, depending on your version of Teams and your organisation's settings. Where it's available, you'll find it in the sharing controls once you start presenting.

Watch out for: availability varies between organisations and meeting types, so you can't always count on it being there.

Google Meet

Google Meet doesn't have a built-in way to draw over a shared screen. To annotate in Meet, use a screen pen on your own computer and share your entire screen.

Why use a screen pen instead of the built-in tools?

• One tool everywhere. The same pen and hotkeys in every meeting app, and when you present in the room.
• Works with any app you share. Slides, PDFs, browsers, spreadsheets, code and live demos.
• Attendees install nothing. Your ink is part of your screen, so everyone sees it automatically.
• Keeps the focus on you. Hide the toolbar with Ghost Mode, and use Pro's highlighted cursor so people can follow your mouse.

Running training or presentations regularly? See Epic Pen for presenters and trainers, or compare screen annotation tools.