Office Settings & Configuration

How to Restore the Missing Floating Pen Menu in OneNote

Adam Davis Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user accidentally closed the floating pen toolbar in OneNote's full-screen mode and needs to restore it, as there is no obvious setting to bring it back.

How to Restore the Missing Floating Pen Menu in OneNote

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Drawing or taking notes in full-screen mode in OneNote.
Observed behavior: The floating pen menu disappears after clicking the Close (X) button, and standard options do not readily show how to recover it.

Before you start

Ensure that you have an active internet connection to download any necessary Office updates, and make sure your current notebook is fully synced to prevent data loss during troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Toggle Full-Screen Mode and Check Toolbar Settings

Often, simply refreshing the view or locating the hidden toggle can bring the toolbar back without needing advanced troubleshooting.

Exit and Re-enter Full-Screen

Press F11 on your keyboard or use the on-screen double-arrow toggle to exit full-screen mode, then re-enter it to see if the toolbar resets to its default visible state.

Look for the Show/Hide Command

Navigate through the 'Draw' or 'View' tab on the ribbon to check for a 'Show/Hide Pen Toolbar' button and click it if available.

Toggle Full-Screen Mode and Check Toolbar Settings

Version Differences: The exact location of the pen settings may vary depending on whether you are using OneNote for Windows 10 or the OneNote desktop application.

Solution 2

Update Microsoft Office and OneNote

Updating to the latest version can fix known interface bugs related to disappearing UI elements.

Solution 3

Repair or Reinstall Office (Last Resort)

If the menu remains completely unavailable and updates do not work, repairing the Office installation might be necessary.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my OneNote pen toolbar disappear?

You may have accidentally clicked the Close (X) button on the floating toolbar while in full-screen mode, or there might be a temporary display glitch in your current version of OneNote.

How do I check my OneNote version?

Open OneNote, click on 'File' in the top left corner, and select 'Account'. Your exact version and build number will be listed on the right side under 'Product Information'.

Does repairing Microsoft Office delete my OneNote notebooks?

No, repairing or reinstalling Microsoft Office does not delete your notebooks, as they are securely synced to your OneDrive account or saved locally. However, it is always recommended to ensure they are fully synced before reinstalling.

Can I customize the Quick Access Toolbar to add the pen menu?

Yes, you can go to File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar, select 'All Commands' from the dropdown, find the relevant Pen options, and add them to your top toolbar for easy access regardless of full-screen mode.

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