Use and edit forms effectively in OneNote

Using shapes in Microsoft OneNote can significantly enhance your notes and make them appear more clearly structured. Whether you want to draw simple geometric figures or create complex diagrams, OneNote provides you with the necessary tools. In this tutorial, you will learn how to insert, edit, and customize shapes.

Key Insights

• The right pen and its properties are crucial for your drawing.
• Shapes can be easily inserted, duplicated, and edited.
• You can customize and combine your shapes with different colors and sizes.

Step-by-Step Guide

Start OneNote and open the "Draw" tab. Here, the focus is on selecting suitable pen and shape options. Before you start drawing, make sure the chosen pen meets your requirements. Choose the pen color and thickness to optimize your drawing.

To switch to drawing, navigate to the color and thickness options. You can adjust a pen to your desired color and thickness. For example, a black pen with reduced width could be your best choice.

After correctly setting the pen, you can activate input to ensure you do not draw accidentally. Then click on the "Shapes" button. Here, you have access to different standard shapes.

Choose a shape, for example, a rectangle. Place the shape on your workspace and adjust the size as needed. At this point, you have the option to change the height and width of the shape according to your preferences. Hold the Shift key to maintain proportions while dragging the shape.

Once you have created the desired shape, there are various ways to duplicate it. For example, you can use the "Ctrl + C" combination to copy the shape to the clipboard and then "Ctrl + V" to paste it. Alternatively, you can also click on the frame of the shape and use the "Copy" and "Paste" options.

Pay attention to the mini toolbar, which helps you edit the shape. Here, you can also choose the options to delete or undo your last action by pressing "Ctrl + Z."

You can also assign categories to the shape or link it with other applications like Outlook to simplify its use. The pen color and thickness are also customizable, allowing you to design your shape uniquely.

Want to add another shape? No problem! You can also choose a different geometric element like a triangle. In this step, you can position the triangle where you want and adjust its size.

Two shapes can also be connected. Click on the optional line to draw an arrow that links both shapes together.

Duplicating shapes allows you to create different versions. By using different colors for the shape, you can adjust the size and color by accessing the pen properties.

Additionally, you can control the order of the shapes. First, you can establish which triangle should be in the foreground and which in the background. This gives you more control over the layout of your drawings.

If you want to further customize a shape, various functions are available. You can move the shapes under "Arrange" or adjust the depth levels of the shapes. For example, a blue triangle can be positioned behind a black triangle.

Another function is the option to rotate shapes. Use either the functions for left rotation or horizontal/mirrored rotation for your shapes.

Right-clicking on a shape allows you to use various editing functions. You can cut or copy the shape and determine the order of the shapes.

Finally, OneNote offers the possibility to add freehand text or equations to further complement your drawings. These features are very useful for expressing or visualizing complex ideas in a straightforward manner.

Summary

Using shapes in Microsoft OneNote opens up numerous possibilities for making your notes more engaging and visual. From choosing the right pen to customizing and combining shapes, you showcase your creative potential in digital note-taking.