Writing with notes
Keep Research Notes Visible While Writing
If you keep changing windows to reread a source, put only the facts needed for the next paragraph in view. FloatBoard can hold a short text note and supporting image in an always-on-top window beside your draft; your project document remains the record for full citations. This guide also explains when split screen or PowerToys is enough.
Choose the notes needed for the next paragraph
Start with the claim you are about to write. Choose the source detail you must verify, a short quotation if exact wording matters and the question that paragraph should answer. Leave the rest of your research in its original library or project folder.
A useful working note answers four questions: where did this come from, when was it published or checked, what does it actually say, and how will I use it? A floating note is a prompt to check the original source, not a citation by itself.
For an image you plan to describe, record its source and what detail matters. The screenshot above shows FloatBoard text cards beside image thumbnails, but a text-only writing task does not need images.
Three ways to keep notes beside Word or Google Docs
Use the least complicated setup that leaves your draft readable. These options solve the same visibility problem at different levels; the feature descriptions come from the linked product documentation, checked on 28 September 2026. This article is published by FloatBoard.
| Setup | Best fit | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Split screen | Two windows are enough and you have room for both. Put the original source or notes beside your draft. | On a narrow display, each window may become too small to read comfortably. |
| PowerToys Always On Top | On Windows, pin a notes window above the draft with the default Win+Ctrl+T shortcut. | It pins an existing window; you still need to choose a notes app and keep source details organized yourself. |
| FloatBoard | Keep short text notes and optional image reminders in one small window, then use its pin control while writing. | It is a working board, not a citation manager or searchable research archive. Check the current plan limits before planning a larger working set. |
Open the draft first. Place the reference so it does not cover the sentence you are editing. Switch back to the writing app and confirm the note stays visible. If it blocks the document, reduce the working set or use split screen instead.
Copy this source-card structure before drafting
Imagine drafting a short product comparison. The following is a template, not a claim about any specific product:
Claim to check: [one factual statement]
Source: [author or organization + page title + URL]
Published/checked: [date shown by source / date you checked]
Exact wording: "[brief quotation, if needed]"
My paraphrase: [your own wording, clearly labelled]
Where it goes: [draft section or paragraph]
Before publishing: reopen source and verify contextPut the source and exact wording in one labelled note; keep your interpretation separately. If the page has changed, update the note from the original rather than trusting an old clipboard fragment. For product details about FloatBoard itself, verify against the feature overview, current plan and download page.
Do not let a floating note become a lost citation
Use quotation marks for words copied exactly. Keep the original URL, author or organization and relevant publication date with the quote. When you paraphrase, compare your sentence with the full source passage; a short clipped phrase can reverse the meaning of a qualification.
For academic or citation-heavy writing, use a dedicated reference manager. Zotero integrates with word processors and can insert citations and bibliographies. FloatBoard does not replace that source library; it can hold a small visible working set while you consult Zotero or your documents.
If you are working with private correspondence or sensitive research, keep it out of screenshots that you share publicly. Only place material on the working board that is appropriate for that workspace.
Frequently asked questions about visible writing notes
How can I keep notes always on top while writing in Windows?
Open your notes app and use Microsoft PowerToys Always On Top to pin its active window, or use FloatBoard’s own pin control. Resize the note window so Word or your browser stays readable.
Can I keep reference notes beside Google Docs?
Yes. Google Docs runs in a browser window, so you can place a separate notes window beside it or keep a small FloatBoard window pinned above it. If your screen is narrow, a side-by-side layout may work better than an overlapping note.
Should I use a floating note or Zotero for research?
Use Zotero or another reference manager for the source collection and final citations. Use a floating note for the few facts or questions you need in view during the current paragraph. A source card on the board should always point back to the original.
How do I avoid accidentally copying source text into my draft?
Label exact quotations and your own paraphrases differently. Draft from the source idea with the original closed or beside you, then reopen it to verify accuracy and attribution before publishing.
Review the draft, then refresh the working set
At the end of the section, reopen each source and verify names, dates, numbers, qualifications and quotations. Move any lasting note into your source library or project document. Replace the temporary references with those needed for the next section.
Try FloatBoard with two source cards beside a draft, then decide whether a visible board improves your writing setup. If you mainly need to recover copied text, see the clipboard history guide; if you are comparing visual ideas, see the image reference workflow.