What is it, in one sentence?
A native Windows canvas for teaching with a pen: ink, code, and a live application on the same board.
Does it replace Microsoft Whiteboard?
It replaces the job of standing at a projector and explaining something. It does not replace a meeting whiteboard, cloud sync, or real-time collaboration. See Compare.
Why did you create it?
Because, why not?
Windows 11 or Windows 10?
Built for Windows 11. It runs on Windows 10 version 2004 or later, 64-bit. That is the same floor as Windows Graphics Capture, which LiveView uses.
Is a pen required?
For ink, yes, unless Finger drawing is on. On a computer where Windows reports neither a pen tablet nor a touchscreen, a notice at startup says so and points to discussion 78, which collects votes for mouse-only drawing; the application still opens. A mouse and touch pan, zoom, and move containers. A keyboard runs the rest. The rear eraser and palm rejection still need a pen. New installs default Finger drawing to When no pen is detected, which looks at the digitizer list Windows reports, not whether a pen is in the room. On makes one finger use the current tool; two fingers still pan and pinch-zoom, and Eraser and Pan appear on the toolbar. The shortcut list is grouped by pen, mouse, touch, and keys.
Mac, iPad, or a browser?
No. It is a Windows application. Boards are files you can keep next to the material they document; they do not open in a browser.
Does it need an account, a tenant, or the internet?
No account, no tenant. Boards and preferences stay on this machine. A copy that did not come from the Microsoft Store may check this site once a day for a newer released build; a bar under the tabs offers the download site if one does. Turn that off in Help → Preferences → Updates. A Microsoft Store install never makes that request. Details are on Privacy.
Where do boards live? What is a .wboard?
A board is a file on disk. Save writes a versioned ZIP with an embedded preview.png. Explorer shows that picture as the thumbnail in the released install. The VS Code extension shows the same picture.
Can Released and Dev both be installed?
Yes. The pre-release installs as SQLBI Whiteboard (Dev), keeps its own settings, and does not register .wboard or .wimport, so it can sit beside a released copy without stealing the file association.
What is LiveView, and why Reconnect after open?
LiveView captures a window or a display onto the board so you can draw over it. Windows cannot save the capture permission. After you reload a board the last frame appears immediately; Reconnect restores the live feed. The guide has the session story.
Can it format DAX and SQL?
Yes. Paste or drop a .dax or .sql file, choose the language, press F6. Help → Preferences has Snippet format order for clipboard paste and unrecognized dropped files. Formatting is local. SQL Server mode targets SQL Server 2025 T-SQL and leaves an invalid script unchanged.
How do I bring a workshop in?
A .wimport file is Markdown that builds image and text containers. Drop it on an open board, or use Import. The import format is the contract. Save always writes a .wboard.
How do I report a problem?
Open an issue on GitHub. How a change reaches the product is on Contribute.