To make things easier, install the OneNote Web Clipper app/add-on/extension in your browser, then just clip helpful text, infographics, or images directly into your notes without having to leave the browser. As you’re researching for a project and crawling through search results, you end up with a collection of 75 tabs. Before long, it’s difficult to remember which site includes the information you really need. OneNote also includes an audio recording tool for recording meetings/other conversations or to talk through an idea when you don’t have time to type it out. Want a more personalized approach? Add photos of whiteboards or paper documents to digitize them, and even embed online videos directly on a page (and play them from right there in your notes). Make your own comments and annotations directly on the slides as you go! For example, if a presenter shares a PowerPoint file, drop that file into OneNote to follow along. Typing or writing out meeting notes is a start, but for more comprehensive and helpful notes, add in relevant files. OneNote is a digital notebook-so don’t limit yourself by treating it like a traditional paper notebook! To really get the most out of the app, think beyond adding text. Math Assistant is more than just a calculator it even includes step-by-step instructions for reaching the correct answer (which you can drag and drop into your notes). And for many types of equations, you can even generate a practice quiz to keep your skills fresh. Not only can this tool tidy up your handwriting, it can also solve and graph formulas and equations, calculate standard deviations, factor polynomials, integrate derivatives, and a whole lot more. Just write out the equation or formula you’re working with, select it, and hit the Math button. If you’re a student-or a parent trying to help your child with their homework-OneNote’s Math Assistant feature is an absolute lifesaver. Why not sketch out concepts or processes to better illustrate your ideas? Plus, if you add files or images to your notes (more on that in a minute), inking is a great way to annotate them right there-without altering the original document or picture. With a variety of color options and several different writing implements, it almost seems a shame to merely take notes. Sure, you can use OneNote’s inking tools when creating handwritten notes-but why stop there? Just like that, your handwriting converts to easy-to-read text in the default font and size. And your converted text even appears in search results. Write out your note, select it by using the Lasso tool, and then click Ink to Text. Luckily, OneNote lets you convert your handwriting to easily searchable text. That said, not all of us are blessed with perfect penmanship-and searching for handwritten notes can be a chore. While computers and mobile devices are standard tools these days, some of us still retain information better when we write our notes by hand rather than typing them out. Do more than typeįirst off, OneNote includes some solid inking tools. Admittedly, they work a whole lot better when you’re using a device with a touchscreen and a pen or stylus, but even if you’re using a trackpad or mouse, inking has its uses.
Not everyone will use OneNote the same way, but no matter your style-super-organized note-taker or stream-of-consciousness brainstormer-OneNote can make your life and your job easier. Here are 12 features that will teach you how to use OneNote like a pro.
Whether you use the free OneNote for Windows 10 app or the OneNote app that comes with your Microsoft 365 subscriptions, you have some incredible features at your fingertips (literally!). To be fair, taking notes isn’t a task most people get excited about. But when you really learn how to use OneNote, you may find yourself saying, “Whoa, I didn’t know it could do that !” (Or at least the people who haven’t read this article.) “Wow, OneNote is a crazy cool app!” said no one ever.