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What Is Microsoft OneNote?

Microsoft OneNote is a fully functional digital note taking application which can be used to organize, share and collaborate on ideas. The solution comes with a free companion application for Windows devices and offers deep search functionality for all notes stored in its system. Users can store and organize audio recordings that are in a searchable format as well as integrate them with other Microsoft 365 products such as Excel or Word. To save time and effort, they can also highlight their handwritten notes by using various shapes and colors on the screen of their mobile device.

Who Uses Microsoft OneNote?

Creative project management solution for creating notes, sharing ideas, adding annotations, and more.

Microsoft OneNote Software - OneNote notebook
Microsoft OneNote Software - OneNote annotations
Microsoft OneNote Software - OneNote sketching
Microsoft OneNote Software - OneNote workbook tabs

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Reviews of Microsoft OneNote

Average score

Overall
4.6
Ease of Use
4.5
Customer Service
4.3
Features
4.5
Value for Money
4.5

Reviews by company size (employees)

  • <50
  • 51-200
  • 201-1,000
  • >1,001
Engr. John Paulo
Engr. John Paulo
Developer in Philippines
Verified LinkedIn User
Computer Software, 201–500 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Microsoft OneNote Review

5.0 2 months ago New

Comments: This appliaction/tool is overall good for my tasks management and note taking / keeping my notes. Also easy to access.

Pros:

It's feature of document management and keeping my notes.

Cons:

I don't see any least like of using this application.

Tom
Site Acquisition Specialist in US
Wireless, 2–10 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source
Source: SoftwareAdvice

Alternatives Considered:

OneNote is a Game Changer

5.0 last month New

Comments: OneNote has revolutionized the way I organize and manage information. Its intuitive interface, flexible canvas, and powerful features have made it an indispensable tool in both my personal and professional life. Whether I'm capturing fleeting thoughts, collaborating on projects, or simply keeping track of my daily to-dos, OneNote consistently proves to be a reliable and versatile companion. Its seamless integration with other Microsoft products further enhances its value, making it a true productivity powerhouse. OneNote is not just a note-taking app; it's a digital workspace that empowers me to be more organized, efficient, and creative.

Pros:

OneNote is my digital sanctuary for organizing thoughts, ideas, and information. Its flexible canvas allows me to seamlessly capture notes, clippings, images, and even audio recordings in a way that feels natural and intuitive. The ability to create multiple notebooks and sections keeps everything neatly organized, while the powerful search function ensures that I can always find what I need. Whether I'm brainstorming for a project, taking lecture notes, or simply jotting down a quick reminder, OneNote is my go-to tool. The ability to collaborate with others in real-time is a game-changer, making it an essential tool for both personal and professional use. OneNote is not just a note-taking app, it's a productivity powerhouse that has become an indispensable part of my daily workflow.

Cons:

Sometimes it takes a bit long to upload onto my desktop.

Mark
Founder and CEO in US
Apparel & Fashion, 2–10 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

OneNote Review

3.0 2 weeks ago New

Pros:

Able to save documents written in Microsoft word. Has great storage for saving documents

Cons:

Unable to connect to a printer. When it comes down to getting documents it has a hard time releasing them.

Reynaldo
Network Specialist in Mexico
Automotive, 1,001–5,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Alternatives Considered:

Excellent app to store notes

5.0 2 weeks ago New

Comments: Is a great tool to store all your notes, can manage them in sections to have all organized

Pros:

Can store all the notes there and can view edit or create on smartphone with the app

Cons:

At the moment everithing is working good, i like it.

Robert
Data Analyst in Romania
Industrial Automation, 5,001–10,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Reliable note taking and task management app

5.0 last month New

Pros:

As a note taking app I find OneNote more useful and with more features than other apps. I used to use Evernote, but there were to many restrictions and not too many options for notes categorization. With OneNote one has not only the Notebook entity, but also the sections within each Notebook and the pages within each section. This tree structure on 3 levels allows for a quite flexible approach when it comes to notes categorization. Another critical feature is the Search function: allowing to search across all notebooks and pages. As for task management, I find OneNote easier to use to store my to do's with additional info (text and images). This is very useful when working on individual projects and not having to switch to other apps. OneNote can work as a mood board, note taking, task management, reminders, even password management (you can password protect a particular section)

Cons:

The sync process could benefit from some improvements: as in the notebooks to be created by default in OneDrive or SharePoint. There are scenarios where the notebooks are created locally, then in order to sync one needs to put it manually on OneDrive or SharePoint.