Fix OneNote Favorite Pens and Custom Pen Options Missing
Question details
The user needs to restore custom Favorite Pens and individual pen quick-access shortcuts that have disappeared from the OneNote toolbar.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Trying to use quick-access pen shortcuts like Alt+1 or Alt+2 for quick drawing and highlighting during note-taking.
- Observed behavior
- Custom individual pens with saved color and thickness settings no longer appear. The user can only add a generic Pen option to the toolbar, forcing them to open the gallery repeatedly to switch tools.
Verify whether you are using OneNote for Windows 10 or the standard OneNote desktop application, as the Draw tab interface and pen availability differ significantly between the two versions.
Check for Office and OneNote Updates
Updating your application ensures you have the latest interface fixes and drawing tool options released by Microsoft.
Microsoft frequently rolls out updates that alter the Quick Access Toolbar and the Draw tab. Checking for updates can help retrieve missing features if a recent patch addressed the issue.
Launch OneNote, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Account' from the left-hand menu.
Click on 'Update Options' next to Office Updates and select 'Update Now'.
Once the updates are downloaded and installed, restart OneNote and navigate to the 'Draw' tab to see if your favorite pens have been restored.
Customize the Quick Access Toolbar
Modify your Quick Access Toolbar to include the available drawing and pen gallery tools to speed up your note-taking workflow.
Submit Direct Feedback to Microsoft
Since the removal of individual favorite pens is a design change by Microsoft, submitting feedback is the official way to request the feature's return.
Try WPS Office for Stable Document Annotation
If unexpected interface changes and missing tools in Microsoft Office disrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and stable environment with robust drawing and annotation tools for all your document needs.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free suite and install it on your device.
- 2. Open Your Document or PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the document, presentation, or PDF you wish to annotate.
- 3. Use Annotation Tools: Navigate to the Insert or Comment tab to use stable highlighting, drawing, and markup tools without worrying about sudden interface overhauls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my favorite pens disappear in OneNote?
Microsoft frequently updates the OneNote interface. In recent updates, individual favorite pens were consolidated into a unified drop-down gallery, which unfortunately removed them from the top Quick Access Toolbar for many users.
Can I still use Alt+1 and Alt+2 shortcuts for my pens?
Keyboard shortcuts like Alt+1 and Alt+2 rely on the order of items in your Quick Access Toolbar. If individual pens can no longer be pinned to the toolbar natively, these specific shortcuts will default to whichever generic tools are currently pinned in those positions.
How do I get individual pen tools back in OneNote?
Currently, if the latest update removed them, you cannot manually restore the old individual pen shortcuts. Users are encouraged to submit feedback via the Microsoft Help portal to request the return of this specific feature.
Is there a difference between OneNote for Windows 10 and the OneNote desktop app regarding pens?
Yes, the Draw tab interface and feature sets differ between OneNote for Windows 10 and the standard Microsoft 365 desktop version of OneNote. You may find slightly different pen management options depending on which version you are running.
