How to Use a Stylus for an IPad with Microsoft OneNote

Overview

This article will assist you with setting up your stylus to use the different features in Microsoft OneNote. 

Procedure

1. Open OneNote

2. On the Draw tab, drag and slide the ribbon to the left, tap the Drawing Mode icon on the far right of the ribbon. This Icon will look like a squiggly line. 

3. Next, do any of the following:

   • Tap the Draw with Touch option to enable drawing with your finger. If this option is turned off, moving your finger across the screen will pan content on the current page in or out of view instead of drawing on the screen.

   • To enable drawing or handwriting notes with a stylus, such as a Microsoft Surface Pen or Apple Pencil, tap Stylus Orientation, and then select how you typically hold a stylus to draw. Stylus orientation helps OneNote ignore any input your palm may unintentionally create as you write with the stylus.

4. On the Draw tab, tap the pen, color, and thickness you want, and then use your finger or stylus to draw on the page. To switch back to text mode at any time, tap Text Mode on the far left of the Draw tab, and then tap the screen to display the on-screen keyboard.

Last Reviewed: 02-Feb-2023