whiteboard items (e.g. by transcribing digital ink on a whiteboard canvas and creating to-do items from the transcription) and, as a result, savings in time and utilization of computing resources can be realized. Other technical benefits not specifically mentioned herein can also be realized through implementations of the disclosed subject matter. 

[0006] In order to provide the technical benefits described above, and potentially others, a digital whiteboard application is configured to present a user interface (“UI”) that includes a whiteboard canvas (“canvas”) upon which heterogenous objects can be placed in a free-form manner. For example, the canvas might be configured to accept digital ink in the form of text or shapes, sticky notes (“notes”), images, documents, and other types of digital objects. The objects can be placed anywhere on the canvas, and the canvas can grow in order to accommodate the objects. 

[0007] The canvas can also present dynamic templates and regions. Dynamic templates can include one or more regions that together provide structure to objects contained therein, and behavior that is typically based upon a purpose or desired outcome. For example, and without limitation, a template can be defined and placed on a whiteboard canvas that includes regions configured for performing a retrospective analysis for a project (e.g. what went well, what didn’t go well, what can be improved). As another example, a template might include regions for tracking the status of to-do items in a project (e.g. not started, in-progress, or complete). Templates including other types and arrangements of regions for performing other types of functions can be utilized in other configurations. 

[0008] Objects, such as those on a canvas or contained within regions of a template, have associated logical representations. The logical representation for an object maintains semantic data (e.g. metadata) about the object such as, for example, data indicating the type of object, the creator, the creation date and time, and/or other types of information. Templates and regions can modify the logical representations associated with objects in order to create semantic context for the objects. 

[0009] Templates and regions can also generate visual representations of objects based upon their associated logical representations. For example, and without limitation, a template might define a region on the canvas that is configured to present an object in a first visual representation (e.g. in a particular color, format, or arrangement) that is based upon the logical representation associated with the object. In this example, a user might create an object (e.g. a note containing text) on the canvas and move the object (e.g. by “dragging” the object) to the region. In response thereto, the template or the region can modify the logical representation associated with the object and present the object in the first region 

