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Microsoft OneNote with a Microsoft 365 subscription is the latest version of OneNote. Previous versions include OneNote 2016, OneNote 2013, and OneNote 2010. Follow Microsoft 365.
OneNote; Office 365; Category: Microsoft OneNote. Organize Meeting Notes using OneNote Join the event on Saturday, 24th April, 3 pm IST (GMT +5.30). Too many meetings happening. Lots of new initiatives and projects going on. Learn how to manage all the. Microsoft OneNote with a Microsoft 365 subscription is the latest version of OneNote. Previous versions include OneNote 2016, OneNote 2013, and OneNote 2010. Availability of mobile apps varies by country/region. Follow Microsoft 365. TYPE, WRITE, AND DRAW. Write anywhere on the page and unleash your imagination. Use your device's pen or your finger to write and draw with multiple types of pens and highlighters. Take notes on a white background, or add a grid or ruled lines for easier drawing and writing CAPTURE ANYTHING. Quickly take a note by clicking the Note button in the Action Center and on supported pens. Send websites, recipes, documents, and more to OneNote using the Share Charm, Microsoft. In this beginners guide to Microsoft OneNote, we show you how to organise your notebooks with sections and pages; how to add content; what type of content yo.
There are two versions of OneNote that you can deploy to users in your organization who have devices running Windows:
- OneNote: the desktop version, which was previously named OneNote 2016.
- OneNote for Windows 10: the Microsoft Store app that's available only on Windows 10.
While both versions are supported and can be installed on the same device, OneNote is the recommended version for enterprise environments. OneNote provides more features and allows you to customize user settings through Group Policy.
Note
OneNote still appears as OneNote 2016 for the following installations:
- Version 2003 or earlier of Microsoft 365 Apps
- Volume licensed versions of Office 2019, such as Office Professional Plus 2019.
OneNote deployment guidance
You can use the Office Deployment Tool or enterprise deployment software, such as Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, to include or exclude OneNote when you deploy Office in your organization.
As of March 2020, OneNote is included alongside the other Office apps, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, when you deploy Microsoft 365 Apps or Office 2019. There are no additional steps you need to take to include OneNote with new installations of Office. But, always be sure to check the deployment settings before you deploy, for example when using the wizards in Configuration Manager (current branch) or Microsoft Intune.
To add OneNote to an existing installation of Office
If Office is already installed on the device, but OneNote didn't get installed previously, you can run the Office Deployment Tool on the device and use the following configuration.xml file to add OneNote.
Although you're deploying the freemium version of OneNote, the first time the user opens OneNote after it's installed, the license will update automatically to the same license as the version of Office already installed on the device.
Note
- Using OneNoteFreeRetail isn't supported with volume licensed versions of Office 2019, such as Office Professional Plus 2019 or Office Standard 2019. To add OneNote back to those versions of Office, you can run an Online Repair.
- If you deploy the freemium version of OneNote, when you go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, OneNote will appear as a standalone entry named Microsoft OneNote Home and Student 2016.
To exclude OneNote from being installed
There are different ways to exclude OneNote from being installed with Office, depending on which deployment method you're using, as shown in the following table.
| Method | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Office Deployment Tool | You can use the ExcludeApp element in your configuration.xml file. We recommend that you use the Office Customization Tool to help you create your configuration.xml file. |
| Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (current branch) | In the Office 365 Client Installation wizard, you can set OneNote to the Off position when you configure the Office settings. |
| Microsoft Intune | On the Configure app suite page, you can clear the check box for OneNote in the Select Office apps drop-down list. |
But, if you're allowing your users to install Office for themselves from the Office 365 portal, there is no way to exclude OneNote from being installed.
OneNote for Windows 10 deployment guidance
OneNote for Windows 10 is installed by default on computers running Windows 10. Users can also install it directly from the Microsoft Store, if you allow them to install apps from there. In either case, updates to OneNote for Windows 10 come directly from the Microsoft Store.
If you don't want your users to install apps directly from the Microsoft Store, you can set up the Microsoft Store for Business in your organization. This option allows you to control which Microsoft Store apps your users can install, including OneNote for Windows 10. For more information, see Microsoft Store for Business overview
If your users already use OneNote for Windows 10, they may continue to use it. We recommend excluding OneNote for Windows 10 for new deployments. We don't recommend uninstalling OneNote for Windows 10 for existing users because uninstalling an app permanently removes any notebook changes in the local cache that haven't been synchronized. If you plan to uninstall OneNote for Windows 10 for existing users, ensure that all open notebooks have finished synchronizing before uninstalling.
All notebooks supported by OneNote for Windows 10 are also fully supported by OneNote. All cloud-based notebooks associated with their user account will be accessible in OneNote after they sign in with that same user account.
To exclude OneNote for Windows 10 from a Windows image
To remove OneNote for Windows 10 from a Windows image so that OneNote for Windows 10 won't be installed when a new user account is created, you can use the Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage cmdlet. For the package name parameter, you should use Microsoft.Office.OneNote_2015.9126.21251.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
Additional information about deploying OneNote
OneNote training resources We're providing free and shareable eBooks to help your users transition to the user interface and functionalities in OneNote.
Configure OneNote settings: You can use Group Policy to configure certain OneNote settings for your users. To use Group Policy, download the latest Administrative Template files (ADMX/ADML) for Office from the Microsoft Download Center and implement the policy settings by using Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS).
Note
- Group Policy requires the devices with OneNote to be joined to an Active Directory domain.
- Most of these same policy settings can be applied by using the Office cloud policy service, which doesn't require the device to be joined to a domain.
- Neither Group Policy nor Office cloud policy service can be used with Microsoft 365 Apps for business or with OneNote for Windows 10.
Support dates: In November 2019, we announced that mainstream support for OneNote will continue until October 2023. Extended support remains the same, ending in October 2025. These dates align with the support dates for Office 2019. These specific support dates apply only to OneNote included with versions of Office, such as Office Professional Plus 2016, that are available as a one-time purchase or through volume licensing agreements.
Supported languages: While both OneNote and OneNote for Windows 10 are available in most of the same languages, there are a few differences. The lists of the supported languages are available here: OneNote, OneNote for Windows 10
Other platforms: There are also versions of OneNote for Mac, iPad, iPhone, Android, and for web browsers. For more information, see What's the difference between the OneNote versions?
Related articles
-->Use OneNote for the web (formerly OneNote Web App) to take notes online in a OneNote notebook that you can add to from anywhere and easily share with others. All customers can view and lightly edit Office files using Office for the web.
Advanced collaboration: New content shows as unread, presence
Not available in OneNote for the web. With the OneNote desktop app, you can identify and authenticate other authors more easily with the integrated profiles in OneNote. Search for notebook changes and revisions by authors' names and view all recent edits when you return to a shared notebook.
Apply tags
With OneNote for the web, you can apply a variety of tags to notes for easy organization and follow-up. For example, flagging notes as questions, to-do items, or contact information. Learn more about the differences between using a notebook in the browser and in OneNote desktop app.
Office add-ins
OneNote for the web only supports content add-ins for Office. Content add-ins integrate web-based features as content that can be shows in line with a document. Learn more about types of add-ins for Office.
Audio notes recording
Not available in OneNote for the web. With the OneNote desktop app, you can record audio and video notes that are directly linked to any text notes you take while the recording is made. OneNote for the web does not play audio and video content, but the media is preserved in the notebook, and you can download audio and video files to your computer to play them.
Microsoft Notes 365
Bullets and numbering
With OneNote for the web, you can apply a choice of three bullet styles or five numbering styles. Use the Increase Indent and Decrease Indent buttons to change the list level for existing bulleted and numbered lists in a notebook, as well as those created in OneNote for the web. Learn more about the differences between using a notebook in the browser and in OneNote desktop app.
Clipboard
With OneNote for the web, you can cut, copy, and paste content in a notebook. You can copy and paste text between OneNote for the web and OneNote desktop app. Learn more about the differences between using a notebook in the browser and in OneNote desktop app.
Clipping experiences
Not available in OneNote for the web. With the OneNote desktop app, you can clip whatever you're seeing on your screen, send a web page or an entire document to a notebook section, or to jot down Quick Notes that are automatically saved and filed as part of your notebook.
Co-authoring
With OneNote for the web, you can simultaneously edit notebooks with people in other locations who are using either OneNote for the web or OneNote desktop app. Learn more about working together on a OneNote notebook.
Create and manage pages and sections
With OneNote for the web, you can easily add to new or existing notebooks by creating new pages in sections, or new sections in notebooks. Pages and sections can be customized, formatted, and moved or copied between notebooks. Learn more about using a OneNote for the web notebook.
Download copy of embedded Office files
With OneNote for the web, you can insert Office files as attachments or printouts to store them as part of the notebook. OneNote 2013 desktop app adds the ability to embed Excel spreadsheets and Visio drawings in your notes. Learn more about embedding Microsoft Office files in OneNote.
Dropbox
Dropbox is a file hosting service that offers cloud storage, file synchronization, personal cloud, and client software.
Edit embedded files
With OneNote for the web, you can download embedded filed to your computer to open them. With the OneNote desktop app, you can attach just about any computer file to any part of your notes, which stores a copy of the file in your notebook. You can even insert Outlook meeting details and Outlook tasks into OneNote or email a OneNote page to Outlook. You can also create or import Excel spreadsheets and Visio diagrams right within OneNote and edit their information in place in your notes. Inserted files show up as icons on your notes page. Double-click any icon to open its file.
Equations
Not available in OneNote for the web. With the OneNote desktop app, you can jot down math equations during a meeting, conference or class, and OneNote can instantly calculate the results for you.
Hyperlinks
With OneNote for the web, you can insert a hyperlink to a web address or apply a link to selected text. You can also right-click a page tab to copy a direct link to that page. Learn more about the differences between using a notebook in the browser and in OneNote desktop app.
Image optical character recognition (OCR)
Not available in OneNote for the web. Optical character recognition (OCR) translates images of text, such as scanned documents, into actual text characters is only available in the OneNote desktop app.
Ink viewing
In OneDrive, OneNote for the web displays ink, but equations are displayed as placeholders. In SharePoint, ink is viewable, equations are displayed as placeholders, and shapes are hidden. These can't be inserted or edited in OneNote for the web. In OneDrive you can select and delete shapes, ink, and equation placeholders. In SharePoint, you can select and delete placeholders for these objects.
Inking: ink-to-text and math, customizable pens, drawing tools
Not available in OneNote for the web. With the OneNote desktop app, you can smoothly draw, erase, and edit with your finger, stylus, or mouse. If you'd rather write than type, OneNote can convert your handwriting. If you open a notebook from a SharePoint document library, any equations and ink in the notebook will display as placeholders.
Linked notes
The ability to link note-taking to files is not available in OneNote for the web, and links to files are hidden. However, they are preserved in the notes so that you can open them with the OneNote desktop app.
Navigation
With OneNote for the web, you can use the Back and Forward browser-style buttons on the Quick Access toolbar to quickly jump between pages.
Notebook management: Cross section/notebook page filing, section re-order, create/delete section groups
With OneNote for the web, you can drag and drop to reorder pages and sections.
Advanced management features, such as creating, deleting and re-ordering section groups are only available in the OneNote desktop app.
Offline viewing and authoring
Not available in OneNote for the web. Office for the web requires an internet connection and a web browser. You need the OneNote desktop app installed on your computer to view and edit a document while disconnected from Office Web Apps Server or the internet.
Outlook integration (tasks)
OneNote for the web does not support commands that work with Microsoft Outlook, such as Email page, Outlook tasks, or meeting details.
Paragraph formatting
With OneNote for the web, you can change paragraph alignment, increase or decrease the indent from left margin, or change text direction from left to right. Learn more about the differences between using a notebook in the browser and in OneNote desktop app.
Pictures
With OneNote for the web, you can insert a picture from a file or from Bing Images. You can also resize pictures and add alternative text. For more advanced picture features, such as screen clipping, scanned images, or online pictures, you'll need to use the OneNote desktop app. Learn more about the differences between using a notebook in the browser and in OneNote desktop app.
You can print notes in OneNote for the web.
Proofing tools
OneNote for the web automatically checks spelling as users type and applies a wavy red underline to misspelled text. Common AutoCorrect actions are included, such as correcting routing misspellings or converting characters to symbols. Additionally, you can set the proofing language or turn off the spelling checker for selected text. Learn more about the differences between using a notebook in the browser and in OneNote desktop app.
Rights Management: Apply and consume IRM and password protection
OneNote for the web displays notebooks that are protected with Information Rights Management (IRM). However, these notebooks cannot be edited in the browser, and you cannot create IRM-protected notebooks in OneNote for the web. OneNote for the web can't open documents that are encrypted with a password. Advanced document protection features, such as creating IRM-protected notebooks and applying password-protection, are only available in the OneNote desktop app.
Microsoft 365 Onenote 2016
Search (on page, within sections)
With OneNote for the web, you can use Instant Search to recall anything you've ever created or saved in OneNote. Learn more about the differences between using a notebook in the browser and in OneNote desktop app.
Search by: tag, title, author/date, audio notes
Not available in OneNote for the web. Advanced search features, such as searching by tag, title, by author/date, and audio file, are only available in the OneNote desktop app.
Share
If you've saved your OneNote notebook in a SharePoint document library, then your OneNote notebook is online. That means you can share it by sending a link instead of an email attachment. By selecting the link, people can read your notes in their web browser. Learn more about sharing OneNote notes online.
Show or hide authors
With OneNote for the web, you can turn off the author tags that appear when someone edits a notebook. This will remove the initials that appear next to new notes on a page. Author tags are turned on by default.
Styles
With OneNote for the web, you can easily apply text styles for quick formatting. Learn more about the differences between using a notebook in the browser and in the OneNote desktop app.
Tables
With OneNote for the web, you can insert a table, edit table text, and easily edit basic table structure, such as adding or deleting rows and columns. For more advanced table features, such as converting a table to an Excel spreadsheet or cell shading, header rows, and data sorting within table cells, you'll need to use the OneNote desktop app. Learn more about the differences between using a notebook in the browser and in OneNote desktop app.
Template support
Microsoft 365 Onenote 2016
Not available in OneNote for the web. With the OneNote desktop app, you can use a template as a page design that can be applied to new pages in your notebook to give them an appealing background, a more uniform appearance, or a consistent layout.
Microsoft 365 Onenote Templates
Undo and redo
Microsoft 365 Onenote Tutorial
Using your keyboard, you can undo (Ctrl+ Z) or redo (Alt + F7) recent actions for each page that is edited in the active notebook in OneNote for the web. OneNote for the web gives you a separate undo history for each page edited in the active notebook. You can undo an infinite number of actions per page during the current editing session—until either a picture is inserted or an edit is received from another author. Moving and deleting pages cannot be undone. Learn more about OneNote for the web keyboard shortcuts.
Video playback
Video notes are preserved in notes, but cannot be recorded in OneNote for the web. You can download video files to your computer to play them. Learn more about the differences between using a notebook in the browser and in OneNote desktop app.
View previous page versions
With OneNote for the web, you can view and restore previous page versions of a page, including who wrote it and when. Changes relative to previous versions of a page are automatically highlighted. Learn more about the differences between using a notebook in the browser and in OneNote desktop app.
Feature availability
To view feature availability across plans, standalone options, and on-premises solutions, see Office for the web service description.