Can You Group Ink Strokes and Objects in OneNote for Mac?
Question details
Users want to know how to group ink strokes, text, and images together as a single manageable object in OneNote for Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Drawing and annotating digital notes and needing to move or resize grouped elements without them separating.
- Observed behavior
- OneNote for Mac does not natively support grouping ink strokes with images or text annotations, unlike Microsoft PowerPoint.
Make sure you have your notes saved and synchronized to OneDrive. While native grouping isn't supported, knowing how to utilize OneNote's selection tools will serve as the best alternative.
Use the Lasso Select Tool to Move Objects Together
Since permanent grouping is not available, you can use the Lasso Select tool to temporarily grab multiple ink strokes and objects to move them simultaneously.
This method does not permanently bind the items together, but it allows you to easily reposition complex annotations, drawings, and images as if they were a single group.
Open your notebook in OneNote for Mac and click on the 'Draw' tab located on the top ribbon.
Click on the 'Lasso Select' tool icon (it looks like a dotted circle with a cursor).
Click and drag your cursor to draw a boundary around all the ink strokes, text boxes, and images you wish to move.
Once everything is highlighted, click anywhere inside the selected area and drag the items to their new location.
Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft
Grouping objects is a highly requested feature for OneNote for Mac. Sending feedback helps prioritize it for future updates.
Experience Powerful Object Management with WPS Office
If you are frustrated by the missing object-grouping features in Office for Mac, WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight, and completely free alternative. WPS Presentation and Writer come equipped with advanced drawing and permanent object-grouping tools, making it easy to manage annotations, shapes, and images effortlessly on your Mac.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for Mac from the official website and open the application.
- 2. Insert Objects: Open a Presentation or Writer file, then insert your desired shapes, images, or drawings.
- 3. Group Your Items: Hold down the Command key, select the items you want to merge, right-click, and select 'Group'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I group ink strokes in OneNote for Windows?
Currently, permanent object and ink grouping is also limited in OneNote for Windows 10 and the newer OneNote desktop app. You still need to rely on the Lasso Select tool to move complex drawings and images together.
How do I resize an image and ink drawing at the same time in OneNote for Mac?
You can use the Lasso Select tool to highlight both the image and the ink drawing. Once selected, click and drag the sizing handles on the corners of the selection box to scale them proportionally at the same time.
Why does OneNote for Mac lack the grouping feature found in PowerPoint?
OneNote is primarily designed as an infinite canvas for note-taking rather than a structured layout tool like PowerPoint. Because of its free-form framework, permanent grouping layers are not built into its core engine, though Microsoft continually evaluates adding it based on user feedback.
