How to Take Notes with Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is a free digital notebook that organizes notes into sections and pages — great for meeting notes, recipes, projects, and more.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Download OneNote and sign in
2.Create a Notebook and Section
3.Create pages and add notes
4.Add photos and attachments
5.Share a Notebook with someone

Download OneNote and sign in

~15s

Search for "Microsoft OneNote" in the App Store or Google Play. Install the free app. Sign in with your Microsoft account (the email address you use with Outlook, Hotmail, or Xbox). If you don't have one, tap "Create Account" — it's free.

Create a Notebook and Section

~16s

On the main screen, tap "New Notebook." Name it something broad like "Personal" or "Home Projects." Inside the Notebook, create Sections by tapping the "+" next to Sections. Sections are like tabs in a binder — for example, Medical Notes, Recipes, Shopping Lists, and Travel Plans.

Create pages and add notes

~22s

Inside a Section, tap "+" to add a new Page. Tap the page title area to name the page. Tap anywhere on the page to place a text box and start typing. You can move text boxes around by pressing and holding them.

Quick Tip

Use the "Draw" tab to sketch or write with your finger or a stylus — helpful for diagrams or quick handwritten notes.

Add photos and attachments

~16s

Tap the "+" icon in the toolbar to insert a photo, file, or link. Choose "Camera" to photograph something on the spot or "Photos" to insert from your gallery. Photos can be placed anywhere on the page. OneNote can scan the text in photos, making them searchable.

Share a Notebook with someone

~23s

To share a Notebook with a family member or caregiver, open the Notebook and tap "Share Notebook" in the settings. Enter the person's email address. They'll receive a link and can view or edit the Notebook after signing in with their own Microsoft account.

Quick Tip

Sharing a "Medical Information" Notebook with a trusted family member means they have access to your medication list, doctor contacts, and medical history in an emergency.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Take Notes with Microsoft OneNote

Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

Microsoft OneNote is a free digital notebook available on iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, and the web. It organizes notes like a physical binder — with Notebooks that contain Sections, and Sections that contain Pages.

OneNote is completely free with a Microsoft account, which you likely already have if you use Outlook email, Hotmail, or Xbox. It stores notes in Microsoft OneDrive, so they sync automatically across all your devices.

What makes OneNote flexible is that you can click or tap anywhere on a page and start writing there — unlike most note apps that only let you type in a linear way from top to bottom. You can have text in one corner, a photo in the middle, and a checklist on the right side of the same page.

OneNote is excellent for meeting or conversation notes (taking notes during a doctor's appointment), recipe collections, travel planning, shopping lists, project planning, and keeping track of important information like account numbers (stored securely).

If you have Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), OneNote integrates with Word, Excel, and Outlook, making it even more powerful for managing work and personal tasks.

Rate this guide

How helpful was this guide?

onenote

microsoft

note taking

digital notebook

organization

free notes app