Office Compatibility Issues

How to Fix OnePlus Stylo Drawing Straight Lines in Word and PowerPoint

Camila Milosovich Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve a stylus compatibility issue where the OnePlus Stylo does not write normally in Microsoft Office mobile applications.

How to Fix OnePlus Stylo Drawing Straight Lines in Word and PowerPoint

Product: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote
Device & OS: Android
Scenario: Drawing, taking notes, or writing with the OnePlus Stylo on a OnePlus Pad using Microsoft 365 applications.
Observed behavior: The pen draws a straight line connecting the pen-down and pen-up points instead of tracing the actual stroke path, even though it functions perfectly in non-Microsoft apps.

Before you start

Ensure your OnePlus tablet is adequately charged and verify that the OnePlus Stylo behaves normally in built-in Android note-taking apps before troubleshooting Microsoft 365.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Firmware and Microsoft 365 Apps

Resolves inking compatibility issues by ensuring you have the latest bug fixes from both OnePlus and Microsoft.

Inking anomalies on Android tablets often stem from outdated application versions or tablet firmware that does not fully support Microsoft's specific input APIs. Keeping both the system and the app updated is the primary fix for stroke tracking issues.

Update Android and Firmware

Go to Settings > System > System updates on your OnePlus Pad to check for and install the latest OS and Stylo firmware.

Update MS Office Apps

Open the Google Play Store, search for Microsoft 365, Word, and PowerPoint, and tap 'Update' if a newer version is available.

Restart and Test

Restart your tablet, open a blank Word document, navigate to the Draw tab, and test the pen tool.

Reinstall if Necessary

If the issue persists, uninstall the affected Microsoft apps, restart your tablet, and reinstall them from the Play Store.

OneNote Users: This troubleshooting sequence also applies if you are experiencing the straight-line drawing bug exclusively within the Microsoft OneNote application.

Solution 2

Report the Inking Bug to Microsoft Support

If updates do not fix the issue, the problem is likely an unresolved Microsoft 365 app bug that needs to be reported directly.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Stylus Support on Android

If Microsoft 365 apps continue to struggle with stylus compatibility on your OnePlus Pad, switch to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, fully compatible, and free alternative with excellent handwriting and drawing support.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the Google Play Store on your OnePlus Pad.
2. Open Your Document: Launch the app and open any existing Word or PowerPoint file you wish to edit.
3. Start Drawing: Tap the 'Tools' menu, navigate to the 'Pen' tab, select your preferred tool, and start writing seamlessly with your OnePlus Stylo.

Smooth and accurate stylus input for writing and drawing on Android tabletsFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsLightweight application that runs smoothly without laggingFree to use with a familiar, user-friendly interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my OnePlus Stylo only draw straight lines in OneNote?

This is typically caused by an inking compatibility bug within the Microsoft 365 app itself. While the stylus works correctly on a hardware level, the MS Office app misinterprets the touch data, registering only the pen-down and pen-up coordinates.

Can I fix the straight line pen issue without uninstalling PowerPoint?

Yes, you can try updating your OnePlus tablet's operating system, the Stylo firmware, and the PowerPoint app via the Google Play Store first. A simple device restart after these updates often resolves temporary glitches without needing a full reinstall.

How do I access pen settings in Microsoft Word on Android?

Open a document in Microsoft Word, tap the Edit icon, and select the 'Draw' tab from the main ribbon menu. Here you can select different pens, colors, and thickness, or toggle the 'Draw with Mouse or Touch' option to troubleshoot stylus input.

Office App Problems