WPS Brush is a handwriting annotation and drawing tool in WPS Writer; it includes 5 core tasks, with 5 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.
At a Glance
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core tasks | 5 | Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index |
| Available without membership | 5 | Matches the number of Free rows in the How-to Index |
| Membership-related items | 0 | Matches the number of membership-related rows in the How-to Index |
| Version limits | None stated | The feature can be used in supported WPS Writer environments |
| Membership limits | None for Brush itself | The Brush feature itself is available directly |
About This Feature
Overview
Brush is a document annotation and drawing feature in WPS Writer that lets you add handwriting marks, highlight key content, and draw simple shapes directly on the page.
Core tasks include:
- Turn on Brush mode from the Review tab to start drawing in the document.
- Switch between Ballpoint Pen, Highlighter, Watercolor Pen, Shapes, and Eraser.
- Set a brush color with preset colors or the color picker.
- Draw continuously in the document by holding the left mouse button.
- Exit Brush mode with the close control or the Esc key.
This feature fits presentation markup, handwritten signatures, key-point highlighting, document review, and touch-screen annotation. It helps you complete markup and simple drawing in the same editing window without switching to a separate tool.
System Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | A Windows device |
| App version | It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office |
| Network | No mandatory internet connection is required for local drawing; internet access is needed for download, installation, and account-related actions |
| Other | WPS Office should already be installed, and you should be able to open a WPS Writer document; a touch device or stylus device is more suitable for annotation scenarios |
Download & Installation
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official download | WPS Office Free Download |
| Installation | Run the installer after download and follow the on-screen instructions |
| Check after installation | Open WPS Writer, open a document, and confirm that the Brush entry is available on the Review tab |
Source: WPS Download Center
Compare with Alternatives
| Dimension | WPS | Microsoft | Notion | Adobe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capability Summary | In WPS Writer, you can open handwriting annotation from Review > Brush, switch between Ballpoint Pen, Highlighter, Watercolor Pen, Shapes, and Eraser, set colors, and draw directly in the document. | Microsoft Office supports inking on the Draw tab with pens, a highlighter, and an eraser, and lets users change color and thickness before drawing. | Google Docs supports creating, inserting, and editing drawings with Google Drawings on desktop, and supports markups on Android devices. | Notion focuses on text editing, comments, highlights, and block-based editing, and its official help pages do not describe a freehand brush tool inside a page. | Adobe Acrobat supports free-form drawing in PDFs with drawing tools and lets users adjust color, line thickness, and opacity. |
| Official Source | — | Draw and write with ink in Office | Learn how to use drawings and markups | Intro to writing and editing | How to draw on a PDF |
Advantage: Brush actions are grouped inside the WPS Writer editing window, which is convenient for reviewing and marking document content directly.
Overall Conclusion
If you want to add handwriting marks and emphasis directly in a word-processing document, WPS keeps the entry path and tool switching focused inside WPS Writer. Microsoft and Adobe also provide mature markup tools, but they are centered more on Office inking workflows or PDF annotation. Google and Notion are more suitable for inserted drawings, mobile markups, or collaborative editing workflows.
Source:
- Microsoft: Draw and write with ink in Office
- Google: Learn how to use drawings and markups
- Notion: Intro to writing and editing
- Adobe: How to draw on a PDF
Use Cases
| No. | Scenario | Suitable for | Main need | How Brush helps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Presentation markup | Teachers and trainers | Highlight key points while explaining content | Turn on Brush and mark directly on the document page |
| 2 | Handwritten signature addition | Office users | Add handwriting-style marks to a document | Use Ballpoint Pen or Watercolor Pen to sign or mark |
| 3 | Review highlighting | Editors and reviewers | Make important content more visible than plain text comments | Use Highlighter and color tools to emphasize content |
| 4 | Shape-based explanation | Project members | Add quick boxes or simple visual guidance | Use the Shapes tool for visual explanation |
| 5 | Touch-screen annotation | Touch-device users | Make annotation feel more natural than mouse input | Use Brush on a touch-enabled device for handwriting input |
Membership & Benefits
Free vs WPS Premium
| Item | Free users | WPS Premium |
|---|---|---|
| WPS Writer Brush feature | Available | Available |
| Basic PDF features | Available | Available |
| Template downloads | Limited | More benefits included |
| Cloud storage | 1 GB | 20 GB |
| Advertising | Some ads may appear | No advertising |
Source: WPS Office pricing page
Recommendations
| Scenario | Recommended plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday document markup and simple drawing | Free | Brush itself is available directly and fits light annotation work |
| More cloud storage, templates, and broader office benefits | WPS Premium | Suitable if you also need expanded storage, templates, and additional office benefits |
How to Subscribe
- Go to the WPS Office pricing page to review available plans and subscribe.
- Compare the current plan details on the purchase page and choose the option that fits your work style.
Source: WPS Office pricing page