Using MS OneNote

Most of us, in this modern day and age, do research or deal with information on our computers. This is great because everything, all of our data can be in one place at one time...Oh wait, I think that's the flaw in the system too! I am sure that if you've ever been sitting in front of a 20-page Word document trying to find that one important paragraph of information that you absolutely have to have in order to finish your work, then you know that this system is not as good as it can be. But what if there was a better way?

You know I wouldn't tease you with the prospect if there wasn't a way - a quick, simple and Microsoft Office compatible way, that is. I'm talking about the Microsoft digital notebook (also referred to as OneNote). Depending on your version of Office (Office for Mac and Office 2007 for Vista users I'm looking in your direction) you may already have it with your version of Microsoft Office. OneNote is just what it sounds like it ought to be: a digital notebook with a variety of sheets (each represented by a different tab) that can hold your data in a separate area, nice and easy to find.

First things first. If you do not have access to OneNote you can get it by following me right this way. Now, let's get down to the most important thing - how to use it - because a shiny new toy that you can't use quickly becomes a shiny new paper weight (or in the digital word, a shiny new trash can folder). So let's dive head first into the world of Word Notebook, and see for yourself just how easy it is to use.

To open a new OneNote page:

1. Double click on the icon for Word Notebook.
2. When the notebook first opens click on "file" then "save as".
3. Rename the document as you desire and click on "OK".

Now you have a brand new, ready to go, OneNote page that you will be able to save and re-open as you please.

Naming your existing tabs

The default names of the tabs are generic, boring and useless, so let's make them a bit more interesting. To personalize your tab names, just do this:

1. Click on the tab to bring it to the front.
2. Click on the name of the tab and if you need to, hit the "backspace" key to get rid of the old title.
3. Type in the name you want. Go ahead and be creative, just keep it short enough to read on the tab.
4. Click away from the tab. Your new name should be in place.

Navigating between tabs

If you want to go between tabs and the tab you want is visible just click on it. If not you can scroll between tabs by using the up and down arrows at the top and bottom of the tabs. They come and go as needed so don't be confused if you don't see them right now.

Adding a new tab

Adding a new tab, and therefore a new sheet to your notebook, is really easy. Just click on the plus sign at the bottom of the tabs, and a new one will appear for your use.

Some final tips

If you have to send a notebook page be sure that the receiving person has OneNote or opening the file can become sticky. If you use the title on the top of each sheet try to keep it similar to the tab name. Just to save yourself confusion.