Important: OneNote for Windows 10 support will end in October 2025. To keep up to date with the latest OneNote features, get OneNote from the Microsoft Store or as part of Microsoft 365.
OneNote for Windows 10 on the desktop works great with a touch screen. Here are common touch gestures to help you navigate.
Select text with touch
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Double-tap the text you want to select.
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Adjust your selection by dragging the circles at the beginning and end of the text selection.
Select photos with touch
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Tap the photo you want to select.
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Touch one of the sizing handles to stretch the photo.
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Touch the cross cursor in the center to move the photo
Draw with touch
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Touch the Draw tab, and then touch one of the pens.
When you see the downward-facing arrow that appears next to the pen, touch the pen again and then select your preferred ink color and width.
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To adjust the drawing, touch the Lasso Select tool. With your finger, draw a selection around the drawing.
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Touch one of the sizing handles to stretch the drawing.
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Touch the cross cursor in the center to move the drawing.
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Touch the Eraser tool to erase parts of the drawing.
Move pages and sections
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Press and hold the page or section you want to move until you see the move handle
Scroll, pan, and zoom
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Zoom in and out with two fingers by pinching and stretching the screen.
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Scroll vertically and pan horizontally with one finger by swiping up and down or left and right.
Use a pen in OneNote
Most gestures you so can with your finger you can also do with a Surface Pen. Keep in mind, that what you can do with your Surface Pen depends on which pen you have and the device you're using it with.
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To select text, press and hold the right-click button near the tip of the pen, and drag across the text you want to select. Adjust your selection by touching the circles at the beginning and end of the text selection.
Adjust your selection by dragging the circles at the beginning and end of the text selection.
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To draw, Touch the Draw tab, and then touch one of the pens. When you see the downward-facing arrow that appears next to the pen, touch the pen again and then select your preferred ink color and width.
To adjust the drawing, touch the Lasso Select tool. With the pen, draw a selection around the drawing. To adjust one of the drawings, touch one of the sizing handle.
Touch the Eraser tool to erase parts of the drawing.
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To select a drawing, press and hold the right-click button near the tip of the pen, and draw a selection lasso around the drawing. Release the button, and then touch one of the sizing handles to stretch the drawing. Touch the cross cursor to move the drawing.
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To scroll the page vertically and pan horizontally touch the screen with the pen tip, and then move the page in any direction you want.
Learn more about what you can do with your pen.
