Office Settings & Configuration

Fix Missing Lasso and Ink to Shape Options in Microsoft Journal

Olivia Miller Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to locate the Lasso and Ink to Shape drawing tools within Microsoft Journal.

How to Fix Missing Lasso and Ink to Shape Options in Microsoft Journal

Product: Microsoft Journal
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to select handwritten notes or convert drawings into standard geometric shapes while taking notes.
Observed behavior: The Lasso and Ink to Shape options do not appear on the Microsoft Journal toolbar, even though they function normally in other applications like Word and OneNote.

Before you start

Ensure that your Windows operating system is fully updated, and verify that any pending app updates for Microsoft Journal in the Microsoft Store have been installed.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable Tools via Toolbar Customization

Check if the missing tools were accidentally removed or hidden from your active toolbar setup.

Microsoft Journal allows users to customize their toolbar to reduce clutter. The Lasso and Ink to Shape options may simply be unchecked in your view settings.

Open the View Menu

Launch Microsoft Journal and navigate to the 'View' tab on the top menu.

Access Customize Toolbar

Click on 'Customize Toolbar' from the dropdown menu to open the toolbar settings.

Enable the Missing Tools

Look for the 'Lasso' and 'Ink to Shape' options in the list. Check the boxes next to them to restore them to your active toolbar.

Quick Fix: In most cases, simply re-enabling the tools in the View menu immediately resolves the missing options without requiring an app restart.

Solution 2

Reset Microsoft Journal in Windows Settings

Reset the application data if a software glitch is preventing the toolbar options from displaying correctly.

Solution 3

Reinstall Microsoft Journal

Uninstall and reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store to resolve deep-seated application errors.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Drawing and Note-Taking

If you are frustrated by missing tools in Microsoft Journal, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, feature-rich environment with robust drawing, highlighting, and shape-conversion tools across documents and PDFs.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
2. Open a Document or PDF: Launch WPS Office and create a new document or open an existing PDF file.
3. Use the Draw Tools: Navigate to the 'Insert' or 'Comment' tab to access robust drawing pens, highlighters, and shape tools.

Completely free and lightweight Office suiteBuilt-in ink and drawing tools available in PDF and Word modulesHigh format compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPointFamiliar user interface for immediate productivity and easy migration

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are drawing tools suddenly missing in Microsoft Journal?

Drawing tools like Lasso and Ink to Shape can disappear if they are accidentally deselected in the toolbar customization settings, or if the application experiences a configuration glitch after an update.

Will resetting Microsoft Journal delete my existing notes?

Resetting the app via Windows Settings clears temporary app data and preferences. However, your actual Journal files saved locally on your drive or in OneDrive will not be deleted.

Does Microsoft Word have a Lasso and Ink to Shape feature?

Yes, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote include built-in Lasso and Ink to Shape features under the 'Draw' tab, which can serve as great alternatives if Journal is malfunctioning.

How do I report persistent bugs in Microsoft Journal?

If reinstalling does not bring back the missing tools, you can report the bug by opening the Windows Feedback Hub (press Windows key + F), detailing your issue, and submitting it to Microsoft.

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