Honest comparison

TI-84 Plus CE notes programs: what actually works?

There are several ways to store text on a calculator. The right one depends on your model, how much material you have, and whether you need search or PDF conversion.

Best free manual option: Notes CE-style text conversion. Best for PDFs and large searchable libraries: CiNotes. Best for five lines you never want to revisit: typing a TI-BASIC program yourself.

Notes-program comparison

MethodPDF inputSearchSetup
TI-BASIC programNoNoType or format it yourself
NoteFolioNoLimitedOlder software; CE compatibility is a common problem
Notes CE / text viewerNoDepends on viewerPrepare TXT, run converter, transfer viewer + data
CiNotesYesFull-library keyword searchUpload or paste; receive a complete download

TI-BASIC notes

A program made of Disp or Output statements is simple and needs no third-party viewer. It is also tedious to create, awkward to navigate, and not designed for hundreds of entries.

NoteFolio on the TI-84 Plus CE

NoteFolio is associated with older TI calculator workflows, which is why people still search for a CE download. Compatibility and desktop-software age make it a poor default for a modern TI-84 Plus CE. A CE-native viewer or a browser-based conversion service is usually less frustrating.

Notes CE and text-file converters

This approach is useful if your material is already clean plain text and you do not mind running a desktop utility. You typically send both a viewer program and converted text data through TI Connect CE.

CiNotes

CiNotes is for people starting with a PDF, a long question bank, multiple sections, or notes that need search. It creates calculator-native data, a search index, and a viewer that highlights matches and remembers your place.

Search everything

One keyword can search across the entire converted library.

PDF-aware

Keep structured questions, choices, answers, and rubrics organized.

Offline

The resulting notes live on the calculator and need no phone or Wi-Fi.

Both CE editions

Supports the TI-84 Plus CE and TI-84 Plus CE Python Edition.

Archived by default

CiNotes survives a normal RAM clear.

The program, notes, index, pairing, and saved position live in Archive memory. A normal RAM clear does not make you rebuild or re-transfer the CiNotes library.

Which option should you pick?

A notes program is only useful if finding the note is fast.

See the CiNotes search interface on your own material.

Make my notes