The Best Index Cards App
(A notecard app that saves paper!)
NoteDex is the perfect way to make your own index cards and virtual notecards. With NoteDex Index Cards App, you can customize your cards any way you want. You can add text, ink, images, and more. Plus, with NoteDex, you'll never have to worry about running out of paper cards for your ideas and note taking. As the leading app for making life-like online index cards we are constantly improving the app. See how easy and quick it is to create your unlimited digital index cards - no need to buy paper index cards again!
Index Cards and notecards are so versatile with uses for project research, writing, studying, note taking, brainstorming. If you are looking for a digital index cards app, you have come to the right place. NoteDex allows you to make the most life-like index cards digitally, and provides you all the features of an online notecard, note-taking and note organizing app that you want. Index Cards are a great way to store information for students learning and making flashcards, researchers capturing knowledge, concepts and references, and business professionals capturing project information.
Use on your Apple Mac, Microsoft Windows, iPad, iPhone or Android Phone, and any desktop PC with a web browser. Use your digital ink pen stylus on your tablet to create handwritten index cards and capture your thoughts and ideas creatively. NoteDex features seamless sync capability with our enterprise grade cloud-sync that keeps NoteDex in sync on all your devices automatically. Read more about Cross Platform Index Cards App that work on iPad, Windows and Web.
NoteDex also provides advanced print capabilities - so you can create and print your index cards to PDF with a variety of formats including onto Avery 5388 paper and also in 2x2 or 3x3 storyboard format! Discover more about NoteDex and sign-up for the free 7 day trial on the web or download our app!
Are you looking for the Best Index Cards app for Mac? Read our blog post.
The Versatility of Index Cards in Business and Academic Research
Index cards are a simple yet powerful tool that has been widely used in various fields for centuries. These small, rectangular pieces of paper may seem insignificant, but they have proven to be an invaluable resource for organizing information, brainstorming ideas, and even studying. From businesses to academic research, index cards have played a crucial role in streamlining processes and improving productivity. In this article, we will explore the various uses of index cards in business and academic research, as well as their versatility and convenience.
The Many Forms of Index Cards
Index cards come in a variety of colors, sizes, and materials. They can be made from paper, cardboard, or even plastic, depending on the intended use. Some index cards even have pre-printed lines or grids, making it easier to write and organize information. When it comes to selecting index cards, the options are almost endless. Many stores and office supply companies offer a wide selection of index cards, so you can choose the ones that best fit your needs. Some people prefer to use colorful index cards to differentiate between different categories or subjects, while others prefer the classic look of white index cards. Whatever your preference, there is a type of index card that will suit your needs. Learn about index card sizes.
NoteDex - A Product that Saves Money and Paper, and Delivery Costs
While you could go to a shop and pickup a pack of Oxford brand index cards (or get them with free delivery using Amazon) it is cheaper to buy our product. For the price of one pack of 100 3 x 5 cards you can have an unlimited stock of cards for a month - and no need to go out and pick them up again and again as you run out. You can make your index cards with background lined images or blank, just like the real thing. Our application will allow you to have virtual stationery digital notecards virtually and instantly. Plus, you'll get that great feeling of doing something that saved a tree!
No need to order index cards ever again! Create unlimited Index Cards!
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Create a Stack
Once you launch NoteDex you can view all your stacks - and create new stacks. Stacks are just 'stacks' of cards - great for organizing all your projects, notes, ideas, recipes.. the list goes on!
With NoteDex you can customize the image cover of each of your stacks - a very visual way to help you organize your information - choose a project logo, or just a fun image that captures your mood.
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Create a New Index Card
When you add a new note card in your stack you will be presented with a life-like render of a 3 x 5 format index card size. You will see the title, body area, and can also add text and more on the back of the card. How to create digital index cards.
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Add Text and Images
One of the standout differentiating features of NoteDex is the ability to add text, insert photos and more. You will see a full rich-text toolbar of options, you can insert hyperlinks, tables, and symbols. You can type an unlimited amount of text onto each card and even change the background card color
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Draw with Digital Ink
Unique to NoteDex is the ability to use your stylus digital ink pen and draw on a card. You can even use your finger or mouse to sketch diagrams! Unlike other apps, you can draw all over your note cards and even over text and images - ideal to annotate drawings, creating flash cards for learning or for note taking. It's also the only index card note app where you can edit your ink cross platform - not just on a Windows Microsoft Surface Pro or Apple iPad device - using our advanced ink technology on all our index card apps.
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Pick an Index Card Template
You can further customize your index cards by adding a custom background template. NoteDex provides a set of supplied index card templates so you can create a ruled index card, and you also just use any image and upload from your computer to make your own. This is an ideal way to take a picture of a real index card and insert it onto your NoteDex index cards if you want to digitize those priceless family recipe note cards! You can even have different templates on one side and the other!
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Keep your Index Cards Organized
After you have created your cards you can organize them into folders (groups) and add tags to categorize.
Tags can be either unique to a stack or global across all stacks. Ideal if you are managing different projects or to do lists and don't want to see the tags from another project stack. You can also mark cards as 'favorites' for quick retrieval as part of your project management or for cards you are trying hard to learn, and sort in many ways.
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Share and Print Index Cards
Share your note cards with the world! You can print index cards to PDF - single or double sided - and then share them with colleagues. Better (and save a tree) you can share them on the web, securely with our super simple share feature. Set password permission and expiration dates to make sure. You can even collaborate with colleagues giving them the permission to edit the stack of index cards!
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An Index Card App for All Your Devices
NoteDex is available as a Mac app, Windows app, iOS App, Android app and Web app. The Web app allows you to use on any web browser and any device. Whether you use an iPad with Apple Pencil, Samsung with S-Pen, or Windows Surface Pro with Ink Pen, you can create an amazing note card on any device, even create quick notes on your phone!
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Corkboard Writing App
Just like using a real corkboard, NoteDex features a Power Grid organizer where you can map out and view your entire projects. If you have a TV go ahead and project it on the big screen and discuss with colleagues! College students can also use this view to see all their flash cards in one high level view. Learn about Kanban and Corkboard view.
What are Index Cards?
An index card is a card made of cardstock ( large paper ) cut in a standard format, used in recording or storing discrete data. In the past they served as a card index for quick search of a library catalog. Carl Linnnaeus invented the system in 1760. Today they serve a primary purpose of storing information and are often used for learning as flashcards.
What are Index Cards Used For?
Index cards are used in many different applications and environments; in the home to keep and retrieve recipes and other organization records; within companies to keep presentations, project reports and store contact information, to do lists, quick notes, or used as flash cards. The uses are almost limitless, used by students, writers, project managers and so many more.
These note cards can store many types of information: summaries, paragraphs or quotations. Note cards are commonly used to record only the overall idea for large amounts of material.
There are many ways to use them including:
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As a quick and easy way to take notes.
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To store recipes, shopping lists, and other organizational information.
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For business, it can be used to record presentation notes, project research notes, and contact information.
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As a great way to brainstorm ideas.
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Used to help with studying for exams when used as flash cards.
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Used to track progress on projects, goals, and to-do lists
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As a way to rearrange or reorganize information quickly and easily.
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A great way to visually represent data or information.
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Perfect for carrying around small items of information or in your back pocket ready to capture your ideas or for recording quotes, or for use as visual aids.
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To capture title and citation information in academic research, with a first card used to create a card index to reference related entries.
In the past, before the advent of digital ones, paper index cards were the often suggested organization method for researchers. A card index is a catalogue of subjects with references to the cards which provide fuller information about them. A card index provides the ability to search for various topics by subject, author, title, etc.
Plus, they can hold data, and won't run out of battery! They can easily fit into a back pocket - the sizes widely vary from standard size to larger cards. They are convenient methods for recording information or any other data.
When used to catalog organizational data, it is often common to create a card index using a first card. This helps to search the remaining cards. These days, especially with hyperlinked digital cards, the same job is done electronically.
Index Cards are heavily used in academic research, not only for recording information but also for bibliographical citations.
This ability to be used in a virtually infinite number of ways, and for it to be so good at storing small amounts of information, make them so valuable. It's what makes them standard stationery in offices and schools.
Check out our article Organizing Life with Index Cards to learn more
Elements of an Index Card
A card usually has the follow areas used:
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The Title area - usually a single line with a heading
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The Body area - the rest of the front of the card
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The Back area - the reverse side of the card to hold more information
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Date - often added onto the card to show when the card was created
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Link - if being used to either reference a different card or show where the information was captured from (e.g. a research paper reference)
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Tag - a color marker to visually flag a card for quicker reference and categorization
Structure of an index card and what a NoteDex index card looks like:
Who uses Index Cards?
As you can gather from the above, the list of people that use them is quite expansive. This includes, but not limited to:
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Students
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Writers
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Project Managers
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Researchers
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Business people
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Lawyers and other professionals
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Teachers
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Lecturers
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Comedians
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Speech Writers
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and You!
What Sizes do Index Cards Come in?
The most commonly used are five by three inches (3 x 5). A further range of sizes is available: 4x6, 6x7, 5x8 and ISO-sized a7 (2.9 x 4). Most cards have lines ruled in one direction and larger 5x8 cards have more information. They also come in a variety of paper thickness. Check out our more detailed article The Ultimate Guide to Index Card Sizes for more in depth information on different index card sizes.
Index Cards with Handwriting
One benefit of traditional 3 x 5 cards (and uniquely the NoteDex app) is the ability to write on them using a pen (or digital pen in the case of the NoteDex app). The act of writing activates a special brain-body connection that just typing (on a computer) does not evoke. That why people who are writing an article will typically choose to write their ideas on a series of cards. They find it helpful to write their key words, their outlines, as they prepare to write their document. We cover this topic in more detail.
How do you Create and Print an Index Card?
There are very few easy tools available to create a printable index card on the computer. Usually, people are directed to using Word, Excel PowerPoint or Google Docs and told to set the paper size to 3x5 or 4x6 to print index cards. This is very inconvenient and time consuming.
Luckily, NoteDex allows you to create picture-perfect Index Cards, add text either on one side or on the other side, blank or ruled, and from just one card to as many as you like. You can print them off as a PDF and print to your printer. Just make sure to feed your printer with the right size card stock and check if your printer can print on both sides if you are looking to print double sided index cards. NoteDex even supports Avery 5388 template format!
Index Cards F.A.Q
How Much does it Cost to Print Notecards?
It's relatively inexpensive to print notecards. A packet of notecards will be a couple of dollars. If you are using an index cards app then it will be free to create an unlimited amount of cards to store anything you want.
What are Oxford Brand Shop Index Cards?
Oxford is just a popular brand of card. Their most popular are 3 x 5 and 4 x 6 size ruled index cards. They offer a wide variety of choices - blank, ruled, or colorful.
What Colors do Index Cards come in?
They come in all colors! Using different colors is great for organizing and brainstorming. Colored index cards also help you to organize and categorize your information.
What are Ruled Index Cards?
Often referred by the brand name, Oxford, a ruled card has two sides so that it is easier for notes to read. The 3 x 5 inches makes this sized device suitable for study, presentation or list building. The lines are usually in blue or black and separated by about 1 cm tall.
What are Dot Grid Cards used for?
These cards can feature dotted lines which can be arranged either horizontally or vertically for your writing. People often use dot grids for doing drawings.
How do you Keep Note Cards together?
It is possible to keep note cards organized and store them together - usually by using an adhesive band. holder or ring. Some people also poke holes in either the top right corner of the cards and use a string to hold them together.
Can you get Vertical cards?
Yes, you can either use a blank card and turn it portrait style, or you can get some dedicated cards, including some pre-printed ones with templates. Some apps also have index card templates over and above ruled index cards to give drawing markers - such as NoteDex Index Card Templates
Where can you buy Index Cards?
There are many sources to buy 3x5 and 4x6 index cards such as your local office supplies store in the office products division such as Staples, Office Depot and others. Your grocery stores or pharmacies will also sell them, such as Sam's Club, Walmart, CVS, Ralphs and similar. You can also buy blank or ruled cards on Amazon.
How are Index Cards used in Schools?
They are used in schools for a variety of reasons - to help students write down ideas, to help to learn to write, and to help study as flashcards. Cards are often used in the classroom for group interaction and cohesiveness.
Can Index Cards Help to Form a Habit?
Yes, Index Cards can help to form a habit. How? When you forming a habit you often want a quick reminder of the thing you are trying to do, or to remember a few key points about why the habit is important. You can have more luck doing a new habit by doing a small amount often. This is where Index Cards help - since they can contain that 'small amount' of information you need. An example might be you are trying to learn some new exercise or yoga moves. Each card can easily - and visually - show the task. This can help nudge you to do the habit. You might like to read our blog article Keeping Up with New Habits. Having your homemade index cards in a digital format will also help avoid you having boxes of index cards to carry around!
What is the Index Card Method?
This method of studying will let you feel confident in knowing information on your cards and making them more meaningful and empowering for you to be a 5 stars learner. We recommend reading the page to learn more.
In summary the method is ideal for flash cards:
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Write each question or term on the back of an index card (3 x 5 size)
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On the front of each card, write an answer or an explanation for the question or term
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on the back. Use your notes and text for a reference, but put the answer or explanation in your own words whenever possible.
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Shuffle the cards so you can't figure out any answers based on their location in the deck.
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Look at the card on the top of the deck:
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Try to answer the question or explain the term.
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If you know it, great! Put it on the bottom of the deck.
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If you don't know it, look at the answer, and put it a few cards down in the deck (so you'll come back to it soon).
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Proceed through the deck of cards and work hard until you know all of the information.
Read more about How to Write Effective Flashcards and Index cards
Are Index Cards good for Studying as Flashcards?
Yes! A flashcard (or flash card) is simply a card where both sides are used - one for the question and one for the answer. Hence, they are a popular tool to be used to created flashcards. Using flashcards to store facts and learn new information is regarded as a key tool in student learning. Many people find that index cards are good for studying, and flashcards can significantly increase memory and retention skills. Read: How to Study with Flashcards and Index Cards
Index Cards are an infinitely flexible tool and have a long history of being useful for capturing notes, ideas, thoughts and information. They are also used as flashcards for studying. There are many types and they come in all shapes and sizes.
It is not so easy to create and print index cards using traditional apps like Word, PowerPoint, Google Docs or Slides, but apps like NoteDex make it a breeze to capture, organize, print and share cards.
Whether on paper or digital, the Index Card is a tried and tested information management tool that has withstood the test of time, and will continue to do so. As long as we humans are wanting to capture, organize and retrieve information, we will continue to do so using these amazing cards for generations to come.
If you are looking to create an index card, then do the planet a favor, and start using NoteDex to create digital ones! You'll save paper and have an unlimited stack of virtual cards. You will be able to do things on the virtual cards that you can't even do with real ones. We love Index Cards and we hope you do too!
How to Export Index Cards?
Index Cards can be exported from NoteDex in a variety of ways.
You can export one or more card in the following ways:
1) Export the text of cards into a .txt file that can be edited in any word processor
2) Export your cards as a PDF. You can choose to export all the cards or just those with a specific tag or group.
3) Export your cards as images. NoteDex will generate a zip file with your images.
You can also copy the text, save as text or save as image for a single card.
To learn more about how to export, save and print index cards please review this support article
Learn How to Print Index Cards
Digital NoteCards for your Storyboard and Writing Needs
NoteDex provides virtual notecards to write, organize, reference and share your compositional work.
Write
Write with text, or sketch out your next masterpiece using your stylus digital pen - NoteDex provides the most flexibility and creativity of any super notecard app! Create cards with different colors, font sizes and even format in tables. Learn how to write a story using index cards
Organize
Move cards around our powerful storyboard kanban organizer. Tag cards with scenes, characters, facts, sources and anything you like, and easily switch views from rows to columns. Use the expansive digital notecards to capture one or more links, references, about your characters or plot.
Reference
Capture your sources and link cards together with Tags and Groups. Export your notes as text files to use your reference data in the next steps of your creative process in tools like Final Draft or Word.
Share
NoteDex has powerful sharing features - and they come at no extra charge. Share your virtual notecards with just a weblink - truly cross platform digital notecards.
