Office Settings & Configuration

How to Change Layout or Enable Tab View in Microsoft OneNote

Chanuka Geekiyanage Sep 30, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to change the layout in OneNote to enable the Tab View, but the option does not appear in the software's View menu.

How to Change the Layout and Enable Tab View in OneNote

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing the workspace interface in Microsoft OneNote to improve navigation.
Observed behavior: The layout option to enable Tab View is missing from the View menu because the user is running an outdated Microsoft 365 build.

Before you start

Make sure you have an active internet connection to download available Microsoft 365 updates and verify if your account has administrative privileges to install them.

Solution 1Recommended

Check and Update Your OneNote Version

Update OneNote to build 16327 or newer, which is required to access the Tab View layout option in the View menu.

Microsoft introduced the Tab View feature in later builds of Microsoft 365. If you are using a version older than build 16327 (such as build 16130 from March 2023), the Tab View option will remain hidden.

Open Account Settings

Launch Microsoft OneNote, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Account' from the menu on the left.

Check Build Version

Look under the 'About OneNote' section to find your current build number. Confirm whether it is older than build 16327.

Install Updates

If your version is outdated, click on 'Update Options' next to Office Updates and select 'Update Now' to download and install the latest version.

Enable Tab View

Once the update is complete, restart OneNote, navigate to the 'View' tab on the ribbon, and select your preferred layout to enable Tab View.

Corporate or Managed Devices: If you receive the software through your workplace or organization, you might not have the permission to update it yourself. You will need to contact your IT administrator to request an update to build 16327 or later.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the layout option missing in my OneNote View menu?

The layout option, including the Tab View, is a feature introduced in newer Microsoft 365 updates. If your OneNote is running on an older build (prior to 16327), this feature is not supported and will not be visible.

How can I switch back to the vertical layout if I don't like Tab View?

If you are on a supported version, go to the 'View' tab on the ribbon, click on 'Tabs Layout', and choose 'Vertical Tabs' to revert to the traditional sidebar orientation.

What should I do if the 'Update Now' button is missing in OneNote?

A missing 'Update Now' button typically means your software is managed by an enterprise or school IT department using Group Policy. You must contact your administrator and request that they deploy the latest Microsoft 365 updates to your device.

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