Office Settings & Configuration

How to Set Default Paper Style or Grid Lines in OneNote for iPad

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users want to automatically apply a ruled or grid paper style to all new pages created in OneNote for iPad without having to set it manually each time.

How to Set Default Paper Style or Grid Lines in OneNote for iPad

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: iPadOS / Windows
Scenario: Creating new handwritten notes or sketches on an iPad and needing ruled or grid lines to appear automatically on every new page.
Observed behavior: OneNote for iPad lacks a native global setting to default to ruled or grid paper, requiring users to manually change the paper style for every new page created.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to the OneNote desktop application on a PC or Mac, as the iPad app requires this desktop counterpart to configure and sync default section templates.

Solution 1Recommended

Create and Apply a Default Template via OneNote Desktop

Since the iPad application lacks a native default paper setting, you can create a custom template with grid lines on your desktop and assign it as the default for a specific section.

This workaround requires you to set the default template section by section using the desktop app. Once synchronized through OneDrive, the iPad app will respect this section-level default when creating new pages.

Set the desired paper style

Open the OneNote desktop application, create a new blank page, and navigate to the 'View' tab. Click on 'Rule Lines' and select your preferred ruled or grid paper style.

Open the Templates pane

Go to the 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon and click on 'Page Templates' to open the Templates side pane.

Save the page as a template

At the bottom of the Templates pane, click 'Save current page as a template'. Give your new template a recognizable name and save it.

Set the template as the section default

In the same pane, look for the dropdown menu labeled 'Always use a specific template'. Select your newly created template from the list.

Sync and verify on iPad

Allow your notebook to fully sync to the cloud. Open the OneNote app on your iPad, navigate to that specific section, and add a new page to verify that the grid lines appear automatically.

Create and Apply a Default Template via OneNote Desktop

Limitation Note: This method applies the default template only to the specific section you configured. You must repeat these steps for any other section where you want grid lines to appear automatically.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a global default paper style for all notebooks in OneNote for iPad?

No, OneNote for iPad does not support setting a global default for paper styles across all notebooks. You must configure default templates section by section using the desktop application.

Why aren't my grid lines syncing to my iPad after setting the template?

Ensure that both your desktop and iPad are connected to the internet and fully synced with OneDrive. Also, verify that the template was applied correctly to the specific section you are viewing on your iPad.

Do I have to reapply the template for every new notebook section?

Yes, because the page template setting is strictly section-specific. Whenever you create a new section, you will need to open the desktop app to assign your preferred default paper style to that new section.

Does this workaround apply to OneNote for Mac as well?

Yes, you can configure default templates for specific sections in the OneNote for Mac application. Once synced, those defaults will carry over to your iPad just like the Windows version.

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