Notes on Microsoft OneNote 2016

Bottom Line

  • OneNote is a note-taking application designed for academic and professional use.

  • The primary function of OneNote is to help users get organized by consolidating ideas, sketches, webpages, photos, videos, and traditional notes in a single digital environment.

Introduction to OneNote 2016

  • Overview of OneNote 2016:

    • OneNote replaces physical notebooks and binders, providing a secure and searchable digital notebook solution.

    • It accommodates capturing ideas and schoolwork across various devices.

    • Key uses include:

    • Students taking class notes (illustrated in Figure 1).

    • Employees recording notes during company meetings.

    • OneNote serves as the central hub for notes across all project types.

Structure of OneNote 2016

  • Notebook Layout:

    • Each notebook is segmented into sections or section tabs categorized by subject or topic.

    • To Do Tags: These are icons designed to assist in tracking assignments and other tasks.

    • Note Pages:

    • Users can type directly on a page, which serves as a note designated for containing text or multiple types of information.

    • Pages Features:

    • Pages may incorporate pictures, including screen clippings and images retrieved from any computer screen.

    • Users have the option to personalize pages using templates, or stationery, available in various themes.

    • Drawing directly on pages is enabled through integrated drawing tools.

    • Users can attach files and enter mathematical equations, ensuring all necessary content is consolidated in one area.

Learning OneNote

  • Resources for learning include links to companion Sways that showcase videos with step-by-step instructions, accessible at www.cengagebrain.com.

Creating a OneNote Notebook

  • Structure Similarities:

    • OneNote mimics the organization of a spiral-bound notebook, consisting of sections, pages, and notebooks.

    • Suitable for various projects including:

    • School-related activities

    • Business engagements

    • Personal tasks

  • Organizational Flexibility: Users have the liberty to store information according to different projects in multiple notebooks or follow personal organization preferences.

  • Notebook Creation:

    • Upon creating a new notebook, it defaults to a blank page featuring a plain white background.

    • Users can apply templates, categorized in styles such as Academic, Business, Decorative, and Planners.

    • Notes can be inserted using buttons from the Insert tab, which include a range of content options:

    • Text

    • Equations

    • Tables

    • On-screen writing

    • Images

    • Audio and video recordings

    • To-do lists

    • File attachments

    • File printouts

    • There is no limit on the number of notes that can be added to each page.

Syncing a Notebook to the Cloud

  • Automatic Saving: OneNote auto-saves notes every time modifications are made within a notebook.

  • Cloud-Based Access: To access notebooks across various devices such as laptops, tablets, or smartphones, OneNote utilizes cloud storage solutions like OneDrive or SharePoint.

  • Microsoft OneNote Mobile App:

    • A streamlined version of OneNote 2016 is available for free on various platforms:

    • Windows Store

    • Google Play for Android

    • App Store for iOS

  • Syncing Process:

    • If users have a Microsoft account, notes are automatically saved on OneDrive, enabling seamless access across all mobile and desktop devices. For instance, notes taken on a laptop can be reviewed on a mobile phone later.

    • To utilize a notebook stored locally on a computer via the OneNote Mobile app, users must transfer the notebook to OneDrive.

  • Sharing Options: OneNote allows for quick sharing of notebook content with others through OneDrive.

Figures

  • Figure 1: Illustrates the OneNote 2016 notebook interface.

  • Figure 2: Depicts the Microsoft OneNote Mobile app layout.