Microsoft launches ‘Pen Focused Mode’ for OneNote

Fans of Microsoft’s OneNote will want to see this new full-screen mode made for ink.

What you need to know

• Microsoft describes its new “Pen Focused Mode” in OneNote on Windows.
• The new feature is a full-screen option when inking, so there are no distractions.
• The new capability is being rolled out to some Office Insiders in the beta channel.

If you are a OneNote user, you certainly know that Microsoft recently launched a major feature to improve accessibility across the board.

We’re talking, of course, about the update that lets you take quick notes by pressing a button on a Surface pen.

The company said customers can use the Quick Note features to create reminders, outline concepts, annotate screenshots or jot down notes.

Now, after its successful launch, the software giant has begun offering another notable functionality, but this time it has more to do with distraction-free note-taking.

Penfocus view should help your productivity

We know you don’t like to be kept in suspense, so just know that the new functionality recently launched for OneNote is Windows Pen-focused display.

As explained by the Redmond tech giant, it allows you to create without distraction, giving you a more productive workspace.

If you’re not sure what it means, it’s really just a full-page view of OneNote, where you see only tools you need to take notes and outline your ideas, including custom pen options.

Obviously, you can display or hide the pen toolbar in pen-oriented view in the upper right corner.

This new ability to take notes in OneNote without distraction is not limited to Surface PCs, as some people thought.

Moreover, it also works on other Windows PCs with or without touch support. That said, things are better if you have a Surface pen.

Keep in mind that OneNote automatically switches to pen-oriented view when your Surface pen is disconnected.

If you don’t want anything to do with it, you can turn it off by navigating to the advanced options and unchecking the check box Switch to targeted ink when pen is disconnected.

Also, the pen-oriented view may not work as you would like when using your Surface pen in selection mode.

Why, you ask? Because there is a known problem that manifests itself while using your Surface pen in selection mode, the cursor may switch back to the Pen tool when you try to tap ink.

Don’t worry, Microsoft is aware and will certainly fix it soon. Microsoft also said it would roll out this feature to Insiders with version 2210 (build 15724,10000) or higher, so keep that in mind.

Source: windowsreport