Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Missing OneNote Tabs Setup Option

Muhammad Talha Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to enable the setting that moves notebook navigation tabs to the left, but the specific layout configuration option is missing from their application.

How to Fix the Missing OneNote Tabs Setup Option

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Configuring the user interface layout to change the placement of notebook navigation tabs.
Observed behavior: The Tabs Setup option or the setting to move notebook tabs to the left side of the screen is missing from the application's options menu.

Before you start

Make sure your notebooks are fully synchronized to OneDrive to prevent any accidental data loss before updating or reinstalling the application.

Solution 1Recommended

Check for OneNote Updates

Installing the latest updates often restores missing features and UI layout options rolled out in newer versions of the software.

Microsoft frequently updates the OneNote interface. The option to adjust tab placement may be tied to a recent software version that your device has not yet installed.

Open Account Settings

Launch OneNote, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, and select 'Account' from the left-hand navigation pane.

Check Version Info

Under the 'Product Information' section, click on 'About' to verify your current OneNote version.

Install Updates

Click on 'Update Options' next to Office Updates, then select 'Update Now' from the drop-down menu. Wait for the process to complete and restart OneNote.

Solution 2

Reinstall Microsoft OneNote

If updating doesn't work, a fresh installation can fix corrupted application files that are causing the settings menu to hide options.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the option to move tabs to the left disappear in OneNote?

The option may be missing if you are using an older build of the software, if you are using the OneNote for Windows 10 app instead of the unified desktop version, or if a recent software update temporarily glitched the user interface settings.

Are OneNote for Windows 10 and OneNote Desktop the same application?

No, they are different versions of the application. The layout options, including default tab placement, differ heavily between the two. Microsoft is currently unifying the apps into the standard OneNote Desktop app, which affects where tabs appear by default.

Will uninstalling OneNote delete my existing notebooks?

Uninstalling the application does not delete your notebooks as long as they are successfully synced to your Microsoft account or OneDrive. However, any locally stored, unsynced changes will be lost, so it is highly recommended to verify your sync status before uninstalling.

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