
OneNote is a Microsoft application that allows users to draw, sketch, or write notes with their finger, a pen, or a mouse. While the application has been updated to include a dark mode, some users have reported that the panning hand tool is missing. This tool is useful for navigating notes that are spread out. In this guide, we will discuss how to enable the panning function and other tips for drawing and sketching in OneNote.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Panning in OneNote | Enabled by customising the Ribbon in the Draw section |
| Enabled by unchecking "Automatically switch between inking, selecting, typing, and panning" in the Pen section under File -> Options -> Advanced | |
| Enabled by selecting "All Commands" instead of "Popular Commands" | |
| Enabled by adding the Panning Hand Tool to the Quick Access Toolbar | |
| Enabled by using the Alt + 3 shortcut once the Panning Hand Tool is in the Quick Access Toolbar |
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What You'll Learn

Enabling the panning function in OneNote
Locate the Panning Hand Tool
Firstly, you need to locate the panning hand tool in OneNote. This tool allows you to pan around your notes, which is especially useful if your notes spread out across the page. In OneNote 2016, the panning hand tool was easily accessible. However, with the introduction of the dark mode update, some users have reported difficulty in finding the panning hand tool in the newer versions of OneNote.
Access the "Customize Ribbon" Section
To enable the panning function, you need to access the "Customize Ribbon" section in OneNote. Go to "File" in the menu bar, then select "Options" and choose "Advanced". Under "Advanced", scroll down until you find the "Pen" section. Here, you will find various options related to inking, selecting, typing, and panning.
Uncheck "Automatically Switch"
In the "Pen" section, look for the "Automatically switch between inking, selecting, typing, and panning" option. Simply uncheck this box to disable automatic switching between these modes. By doing this, you are taking manual control over the panning function.
Restart OneNote
After making the necessary changes, restart your OneNote application. This step is crucial to ensure that the changes take effect. Once OneNote restarts, you should now be able to use the panning function effectively.
Add to Quick Access Toolbar (Optional)
Additionally, you can add the panning hand tool to your Quick Access Toolbar for easier access. This way, you don't have to go through the "File" menu every time you want to enable panning. Simply click on the dropdown arrow next to the toolbar and select "More Commands". From there, you can choose "Panning Hand" to add it to your quick access shortcuts.
With these steps, you should now be able to enable and utilize the panning function in OneNote. Remember to adjust your settings accordingly if you prefer a different mode of navigation within your notes.
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Using the panning hand tool
The panning hand tool is a useful feature in OneNote that allows you to navigate and pan around your notes, especially when your notes are spread out or when you have a crowded page with many lines and shapes.
- Go to "File" in the menu bar, then select "Options" and choose "Advanced."
- In the Advanced options, scroll down until you find the "Pen" section.
- Within the Pen section, locate the "Automatically switch between inking, selecting, typing, and panning" option. Untick or uncheck this box to disable the automatic switching feature.
- Restart OneNote to apply the changes.
- Now, when you want to use the panning hand tool, access the Draw tab. Here, you will find the Panning Hand command under the "Choose commands from" column.
- If you don't see the Panning Hand command, ensure that you have selected "All Commands" from the drop-down menu instead of "Popular Commands."
- Once you have selected "All Commands," scroll through the list of commands until you find "Panning Hand."
- Click on the "Panning Hand" command and add it to your custom group, such as a group named "Pan," by selecting the appropriate column ("Customize the Ribbon").
- With the Panning Hand tool selected, you can now pan around your notes by clicking and dragging the canvas in the desired direction.
By following these steps, you can effectively use the panning hand tool in OneNote to navigate and work with your notes more efficiently, especially when dealing with detailed or crowded pages.
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Panning on a crowded page
When working with a crowded page in OneNote, panning can be a useful feature to help you navigate and find specific content. Here are some detailed instructions to enable and use the panning tool on a crowded OneNote page:
Enabling the Panning Tool
The panning tool might not be readily available in your OneNote version, so you may need to enable it first. Here's how to do it:
- Go to "File" in the menu bar, then select "Options" and choose "Advanced."
- In the "Advanced" settings, scroll down to the "Pen" section.
- Here, you'll find the ""Automatically switch between inking, selecting, typing, and panning" option. Make sure to uncheck this box.
- After making this change, restart OneNote.
Customizing the Ribbon
If you don't see the panning tool after the above steps, you may need to customize your ribbon:
- Go to "File" > "Options."
- In the "Options" window, look for the ""Customize Ribbon" section.
- Under "Customize the Ribbon," select "All Commands" from the drop-down menu.
- Scroll through the list of commands until you find "Panning Hand."
- Select "Panning Hand" and add it to your custom ribbon by clicking the "Add" button.
Using the Panning Tool
Once you've enabled the panning tool, you can use it to navigate crowded pages more efficiently:
- Open your crowded OneNote page.
- Locate the panning tool, which often looks like a hand icon.
- Click and hold the panning tool, then drag your mouse or trackpad in the direction you want to pan.
- Release the mouse button when you've reached the desired location on the page.
By following these steps, you'll be able to pan on a crowded OneNote page, making it easier to navigate and find specific content.
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Drawing mode
OneNote offers a range of drawing and sketching tools that can be used with your finger, a stylus, a mouse, or a digital pen. To access the drawing mode, tap the "Draw" tab and then select "Draw with Touch". You can also use the "Esc" key on your keyboard to exit the drawing mode.
When in drawing mode, you can choose from a variety of pens and highlighters, each with customizable thickness, effects, and colors. Additionally, there is a shapes gallery that allows you to insert different shapes into your notes. To use this feature, click the "Shapes" button on the "Draw" tab, select a shape from the list, and then click and drag on the page to create it.
If you are using a touch-capable device with a small screen, you can enable Touch/Mouse Mode by clicking the button in the Quick Access Toolbar. This mode increases the space between commands, making it easier to tap with your finger. Remember to turn off this mode when you're done drawing.
For those using a digital pen, you can quickly switch between typing and drawing modes by using the keyboard shortcut "Alt + Number" or by customizing the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT). To add drawing commands to the QAT, right-click on the "Type" command for a mouse or use the "Tag-and-Hold" function for a tablet/touch screen. From the menu, select "Add to Quick Access Toolbar." Besides the "Type" command, you can also add "Lasso Select", "Eraser", and "Drawing Tools" commands to the QAT for easier access.
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Cancelling drawing mode
- Go to the File tab in the top left corner of the OneNote window.
- Select Options from the menu that appears. This will open the "OneNote Options" window.
- In the "OneNote Options" window, navigate to the Advanced section.
- Under "Advanced," locate the Pen section.
- In the "Pen" section, you will find various options related to pen and drawing tools. Look for the Automatically switch between inking, selecting, typing, and panning option.
- Uncheck the box next to "Automatically switch between inking, selecting, typing, and panning." By unchecking this option, you disable the automatic switching to drawing mode when using a pen or stylus.
- Restart OneNote for the changes to take effect.
Another way to exit the drawing mode in OneNote is by switching to the "Home" tab. While in the Draw tab, click on the Select Objects or Type Text icon, then switch to the "Home" tab. You can also use the keyboard shortcut "Alt + H" to quickly switch to the Home tab and exit the drawing mode.
Additionally, if you are using a stylus or a pen with a button, you can try using the button to toggle between selection and drawing modes. This way, you can use the stylus for navigation without triggering the drawing mode.
It is worth noting that some versions of OneNote, such as the pre-installed version on Surface devices, may not have the full set of options available in the desktop version. In such cases, installing the desktop version of OneNote (part of Office 2016) might be necessary to access all the features and customization options.
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Frequently asked questions
Unfortunately, the panning hand tool does not appear to be available on the iPad.
First, make sure you have enabled the panning function. Go to File -> Options -> Advanced, scroll down to the Pen section, and uncheck "Automatically switch between inking, selecting, typing, and panning". Then, restart OneNote.
Go to "Choose commands from:" on the left and "Customize the Ribbon:" on the right. Under "Customize the Ribbon:", go to the Draw section and then click the "New Group" button at the bottom of the window. Name it "Pan". Under "Choose commands from:", choose All Commands from the drop-down menu. Scroll through the list of commands until you find the "Panning Hand" command, select it, and click the "Add" button.
To pan while drawing or sketching on a touch-capable device, click or tap the Touch/Mouse Mode button on the Quick Access Toolbar. This puts more space between the commands, making it easier to tap with your finger. You can turn this mode off when you’re done drawing.
To exit drawing mode, press the Esc key on your keyboard or click the "Draw with Touch" button again.









































