Take linked notes in OneNote 2010
Posted on 19. Nov, 2009 by OneNote in Help Articles
Taking linked notes in Microsoft OneNote 2010 Beta makes it easy to do research on your computer by letting you take notes in a docked OneNote window on your desktop while you work side-by-side in other programs or in your Web browser. Notes taken in this mode are automatically linked by OneNote to whatever you’re looking at in Internet Explorer, in Word documents, in PowerPoint presentations, or on another OneNote page in any of your notebooks.
During a Linked Notes session, OneNote stores with each paragraph of notes a link to documents or Web pages that you used, so that you can click that link and easily return to this content again later on. OneNote also stores a thumbnail image of the page and a text excerpt from any Word 2010 or PowerPoint 2010 files you looked at, so that you can easily locate and recognize the correct page or slide again.
Using this feature requires that your notebook is saved in the OneNote 2010 notebook format. To check which file format a notebook is saved in, do either of the following:
- Open the notebook you want to use for Linked Notes, and then look at the title bar of the OneNote 2010 application window. If [Compatibility Mode] is shown next to the notebook name, then the current notebook is saved in the older OneNote 2007 format and the Linked Notes feature will not be available.
- Right-click the notebook’s icon on the Navigation bar, and then click Properties. In the Notebook Properties dialog box, note the Default Format to see what format the notebook is saved in. If the current format is OneNote 2010 notebook format, then you can use the Linked Notes feature in this notebook.
Start a Linked Notes session
You can begin taking linked notes about the Web page, Word document, PowerPoint presentation, or OneNote page that you are looking at by doing the following:
- On the Ribbon in Word, PowerPoint, or OneNote, click the Review tab.
- In the Notes group, click the Linked Notes button.
- In the Select Location in OneNote dialog box, navigate to the notebook, section, and page where you want to take notes about the document or page that you are looking at, and then click OK.
- Take notes as you normally would. You can bring up other OneNote pages in the main program window, bring up Internet Explorer, or open other Word or PowerPoint documents. OneNote automatically links back to what you were looking at so you can easily refer to the source material again later on.
Note: Another way to take linked notes is to click Dock to Desktop on the View tab in OneNote 2010. The current OneNote page will be docked to the side of the Windows desktop, where it will stay visible while you use other programs. Any notes that you take in the docked OneNote window will be linked to their context.
Finish a Linked Notes session
You can end a Linked Notes session by doing either of the following:
- Click the Dock to Desktop button on the quick access toolbar to undock the window and toggle Linked Notes mode off (or simply press CTRL+ALT+D).
- Click the Normal View button on the View tab.
View or remove note links
While in Linked Notes mode, a button with a chain link icon is displayed near the top left corner of the docked notes page. While in a Linked Notes session, you can hover the mouse pointer over individual notes on the page to see which notes are linked to something else.
Hovering the mouse pointer over any of the application icons that may appear on the page will display thumbnail images of any Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, OneNote notes pages, or Internet Explorer Web pages that the notes are linked to. You can click any of these thumbnail images to open their associated files.
To see a list of all of the documents that are linked from the current page, or to remove any links that you don’t want or need, click the chain link icon in the top corner of the page.
Disable Linked Notes
Linked Notes mode is enabled automatically whenever you take notes in a docked OneNote window. If you prefer to turn this feature off, follow these steps:
- On the File menu, click Options.
- On the left side of the OneNote Options dialog box, click the Advanced category.
- On the right side, under Linked Notes, clear the Allow creation of new Linked Notes checkbox.
Tip: If you want to clear any linked notes that have already been associated with Web pages and documents, click the Remove Links from Linked Notes button in the OneNote Options dialog box.
Re-enable Linked Notes
If you previously turned off automatic Linked Notes mode in the docked window, you can enable it again by following these steps:
- On the File menu, click Options.
- On the left side of the OneNote Options dialog box, click the Advanced category.
- On the right side, under Linked Notes, select the Allow creation of new Linked Notes checkbox.
why3002
21. Aug, 2010
What’s the likelihood of being able to link to pdf?
(Ideally to page being viewed)
Rob Thompson
05. Aug, 2010
I am evaluating the trial addition and whenever I click the Linked notes OneNote Ribbon Button the Select OneNote Location Dialog Box opens but is blank, i.e. no words or anything else within that box. Have I done something incorrectly?
Anne B
20. Jun, 2010
Very helpful, really -
OneNote has so much to offer!
pausleal
19. Jun, 2010
Keep up the good work, I like your writing.
Aaron
10. May, 2010
Is there a way to generate links on the fly to pages (such as the title of a page) so as I type it will incorporate information I have already entered. I know how to make hyperlinks manually but it would be beneficial to have this feature.
For example if I have one page about a specific organism called ” Staph aureus” and I am looking at a different page (with inserted class notes) about diseases, it would be nice to have the “Staph aureus” linked whenever it comes up in that page (sort of like how wikipedia and other programs work). Instead of manually linking or searching to find that page again.
Traci
03. Jun, 2010
Aaron,
Yes, OneNote 2010 actually supports Wiki syntax, so you can do things like [[Staph aureus]] and it’ll automatically create a link for you to the page called Staph aureus.
Aaron
14. Jun, 2010
Thanks Traci,
I just wish it would highlight or link to page titles as you type (or paste) instead of manually having to link each one. i.e. the program would highlight “page titles” in the body of each page which could auto link to those pages.
I have played with linking that way (wiki syntax) a bit and it is fun, but easier to just right click on the page and copy the link (to avoid misspelling). I could see it being annoying if you couldn’t turn it off.
3t
29. Apr, 2010
Hi, is that just me, or there is a reason why i cannot drag and drop text from internet explorer (x86 or x64) (and i’m using x64 office) Copy – Paste works
By the way, it works fine from word
nakul
18. Mar, 2010
Outlook should really have been supported. But I’ll take whatever you give!
Bailey
17. Mar, 2010
I love OneNote, but I’m having a hard time replicating the communication I used to be able to get between outlook and onenote. I was planning on linking my class notes to my calendar for easier reference, but it looks like 2010 no longer supports this option. Is it coming back? Also, I agree that when the real thing comes out, I would like Firefox functionality. I also use .pdf files extensively, and it would be nice to be able to reference them as well.
In general, I’m pretty impressed with the new version. Just trying to work out some kinks before next quarter starts.
Lloyd
23. Jan, 2010
This is such an amazing feature I am glad I dont have to print out all the slides for my bio classes. Just one thing that didnt seem to work was when I had use print to onenote and used linked note function I was not able to type on that document I “printed” onenote it kept dropping the text straight to the bottom. I was able to use pen feature to write on top of it but I would prefer typing if it was at all possible… Other than that stellar program!
NW
15. Apr, 2010
Lloyd~ After you ‘print’ your PPT slides into OneNote, click on the blank white space at the top of the page. Ctrl + A (select all), then right click and choose set as background. Then you can type right on top of the slide. The only downfall is I can’t seem to search for words in the original ppt anymore since it is a picture. I think I saw a feature somewhere that says search in text and pictures, but I can’t find it again yet. Hope this helps.
CB
16. Jan, 2010
I love the linked notes feature! However, when I started playing with this a few weeks ago, the “Dock to Desktop” button docked my OneNote note to the right side of my screen, which was perfect.
However, now it started docking the note to the top of my screen, which is useless for me on a netbook.
I can’t find documentation on how to get the original left/right split back. Any suggestions?
John Drachman
20. Jan, 2010
I have the same problem as CB.
Somehow the “Dock to Desktop” connects me to the top of the screen which is uncomfortable and inconvenient to work with.
I would like to get aback to the regular “sidenote” feature, but can’t figure out how to do that.
John Drachman
20. Jan, 2010
CB: Did you ever figure this out? I have same problem.
Elena
21. Jan, 2010
Had the same problem, too. Here is the solution:
Grab the title bar of the docked ON window with the left mouse button depressed and move to the side of the screen releasing the mouse when OUTSIDE of the docked ON window.
Works for docking to any side of the screen.
CB
23. Jan, 2010
Thanks Elena – worked great!
John
23. Jan, 2010
Thanks Elena!
That did the trick!
Abrao Aqueri
24. Jan, 2010
Thanks Elena for your tip for repositioning the docked window. It solved my problem.
Alceste
01. Mar, 2010
Bless you – I have been posting help messages on this topics everywhere and no one knew the answer!
Steve
23. Jun, 2010
Thanks a million!
Michael C. Oldenburg [MSFT]
09. Jan, 2010
Thanks for your feedback!
grouper
03. Jan, 2010
please add a feature to link things manually yourself (not hyperlink, with the little icon and screen shot) and ability to link to other filers, and websites in other browsers like firefox, opera, and chrome. Great feature idea though, develop it a little more!
Paul Kulik
31. Dec, 2009
The documentation for Linked Notes in OneNote 2010 should be expanded to include more information regarding the following:
- Do linked notes work with OneNote 2010 when using PowerPoint 2007, Word 2007, or Internet Explorer 7?
- What happens if the original document to which a note is linked is moved to a different local folder, network share, etc? Do the links update or do they become broken (if a link becomes broken, can the user fix/update the broken link?)
- How do Linked Notes work when using a shared notebook? For example:
1) I create a linked note (within a shared/synced Notebook) to a local Word document in the “My Documents” folder on my desktop computer.
2) On my laptop, will the Linked Note in the synced Notebook take me to the same Word document if it exists in my laptop’s “My Documents” folder?
- For clarity, you should add a section explaining the difference between the new “Linked Notes” feature and the existing feature that allows the user to create hyperlinks to pages, sections, notebooks, etc. The “Link… (CTRL+K)”. Is the new “Linked Notes” feature better in all use cases, etc?
- If Firefox, Excel and Outlook are unsupported, this should be explicitly mentioned. A user would start a Linked Notes Session and then discover the lack of links upon returning to the note(s) at a later time.that the note(s) lack the context expected.
Michael C. Oldenburg [MSFT]
09. Jan, 2010
Hi Paul, thanks for your thoughtful feedback. We’ll definitely be expanding the documentation for the actual release of OneNote 2010 later this year.
Ole
10. Jan, 2010
Love OneNote, have been using it since the first demo version was available: in fact, it’s the only reason I’m still using Office! I really hope that linking to other web browsers is added.
Alceste
16. Dec, 2009
everything appears to be work fine, the little link icon appears and so does its menu – but nothing at all happens with word, or power point, in either 2007 or 2010 beta versions
it does work to some extent with ON pages, though so tumbnail appear.
Michael C. Oldenburg [MSFT]
09. Jan, 2010
It takes some getting used to. If you do find something that you don’t think is working right, please leave a more detailed comment that describes what you’re trying to do and what the result is and we can see if you’ve come across any known issues. We’ll soon have more documentation and tutorials about this feature, so stay tuned!
Richard
26. Jul, 2010
I find that Linked Notes works fine with IE8. But I can’t seem to establish links with Word. Is there some setting that might be incorrect?
Wu Jo
06. Dec, 2009
any plans to release a Firefox plugin to allow linked notes using FF?
Michael C. Oldenburg [MSFT]
09. Jan, 2010
For the Beta, we’re naturally focused on integrating and testing our own technologies to make sure we work out all the kinks. ;) However, the user community has previously authored many useful add-ins for Firefox and other third-party programs and I suspect that we’ll soon see updates for Office 2010 as well.
You may want to join our Facebook group to keep in touch with other Firefox users who’ll share news about user community tools when they become available. If you have a Facebook account, log in and then visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Microsoft-OneNote/109445870147 to join the fan page.
Travis Spencer
12. May, 2010
+1 for a Firefox extension
Phillip Fries
03. Dec, 2009
No links to Excel documents? Get real :>) There are so many Excel spreadsheets in the corporate world it will make your head swim. And its really a trivial task to append an open Excel active worksheet name and active cell address to a file URL. This, along with that intrusive hyperlink security warning ala Vista UAC, are serious impediments to OneNote user acceptance in the corporate world – in my opinion.
Sharon Myers
20. Nov, 2009
Another method for initiating a linked notes session is to use Side Notes from the One Note icon in the system tray.
When I open IE8 to check feeds, and then follow links to articles, I often find interesting paragraphs, tables, etc., that I wish to find again later.
The fastest way to get this done is to click the One Note icon in the systray (or Windows + N.) I have New Side Note set to automatically dock.
My Favorites list in IE8 is becoming unmanageable. I am trying to change the habit of adding every interesting page to my Favorites. One Note automatically adds the link for me and I can add notes, select sentences or a key paragraph, and save only the home page in IE.
You can still file your notes by clicking on Pages –> Move Page.
Please add using Side Note, with the option to automatically dock enabled, from either the system tray or a keyboard shortcut, as a method for starting a linked notes session.
Thanks for providing this site and documentation for One Note 2010. It is appreciated.
scoobie
21. Nov, 2009
Firefox lets you tag your bookmarks so you can search for them more easily like you are doing
Its a pity IE8 doesn’t
Roman
01. Jan, 2010
Where do you think you are bragging about that ;-). I love firefox but this is not the place to purge your frustration.
Clifford Brooks
19. Nov, 2009
A little confusing as to whether you’re talking about the source document (Word, Powerpoint, OneNote, IE), or OneNote as you describe the process…for instance, I wasn’t sure where to look for the little icons with the previews. I will have to play around with it now to figure out how this really works. This is a feature I’ve been waiting on since the first release of OneNote, so I’m eager to give it a spin.