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How to Disable Automatic Circles in OneNote on Windows 11
Question details
The user wants to prevent OneNote from automatically changing handwritten strokes into circles, which occurs even when the 'Ink to Shape' feature is turned off.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Windows 11
- Scenario
- Taking handwritten notes using a pen or stylus on a Windows 11 device.
- Observed behavior
- Handwritten strokes are automatically converted into circles despite the 'Ink to Shape' feature being explicitly disabled.
Ensure your Windows 11 operating system and Microsoft OneNote application are updated to the latest versions, as outdated software can sometimes cause stylus recognition glitches.
Disable the Scratch-out Gesture in OneNote Settings
Turning off the scratch-out gesture in the advanced pen settings often resolves the unwanted automatic shape conversion issue.
OneNote uses a built-in scratch-out gesture that allows users to quickly delete text by scribbling over it. Sometimes, the software misinterprets standard handwriting or circular strokes as this gesture, causing unintended behavior even when 'Ink to Shape' is off.
Launch the OneNote desktop application and click on the 'File' tab located in the top-left corner of the window. Then, click 'Options' at the bottom of the left-hand menu.
In the OneNote Options dialog box, select the 'Advanced' tab from the sidebar on the left.
Scroll down to find the 'Pen' section. Uncheck the box that says 'Enable the scratch-out gesture while inking'.
Click 'OK' to apply the changes, then close and reopen OneNote to ensure the new settings take effect.
Use OneNote for the Web as a Temporary Workaround
If the desktop application continues to glitch, the web version of OneNote handles inking differently and bypasses this specific bug.
Try WPS Office for a Seamless and Glitch-Free Note-Taking Experience
If OneNote's pen gestures are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, complete with robust PDF and document annotation features that make taking digital notes simple and accurate.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for Windows.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the straightforward on-screen prompts to install the software.
- 3. Start Taking Notes: Open WPS Office to instantly view, edit, or seamlessly annotate your documents and PDFs with your stylus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneNote keep drawing circles when I write?
This is typically caused by either the 'Ink to Shape' feature attempting to clean up your handwriting, or the scratch-out pen gesture misinterpreting your circular strokes as an attempt to delete text.
Where is the Ink to Shape button located in OneNote?
The 'Ink to Shape' button is found in the 'Draw' tab on the top ribbon of the OneNote application. Toggling this button off is the recommended first step to stop automatic shape conversion.
What should I do if disabling the scratch-out gesture doesn't work?
If modifying the advanced pen settings does not resolve the automatic circles issue, use OneNote for the Web as a temporary workaround. You should also contact Microsoft Support with your specific Windows 11 and OneNote version numbers, as this may be a known version-specific bug.
