Office Settings & Configuration

How to Stop OneNote from Creating Circles When Writing with a Pen

Bushra Parveen Oct 15, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to prevent OneNote from automatically converting handwritten letters like 'a', 'q', or 'g' into circles while using a digital pen.

How to Stop OneNote from Creating Circles When Writing with a Pen

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Handwriting notes and text with a digital pen inside the OneNote application.
Observed behavior: Handwritten letters are automatically converted into perfect circles when the user pauses, even if the primary Ink to Shape feature on the ribbon is turned off.

Before you start

Ensure your digital pen is fully charged and connected, and verify that you are using the desktop version of OneNote, as the exact location of pen settings may vary in the Windows 10 app version.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable the Draw-and-Hold Ink-to-Shape Gesture

Turning off this specific advanced setting prevents OneNote from interpreting brief pauses at the end of pen strokes as a command to create geometric shapes.

OneNote recently introduced a feature where holding your pen still at the end of a stroke automatically converts the drawing into a shape. While useful for diagrams, this causes severe frustration when writing letters that resemble circles, such as 'o', 'a', 'q', or 'g'.

Open OneNote Options

Launch your OneNote desktop application. Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the ribbon, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the sidebar.

Navigate to Advanced Settings

In the OneNote Options dialog box, click on 'Advanced' in the left-hand navigation pane to view additional configuration settings.

Disable the Pen Gesture

Scroll down the right pane until you find the 'Pen' section. Uncheck the box next to 'Enable the draw and hold ink-to-shape gesture while inking'. Click 'OK' to apply your changes.

Disable the Draw-and-Hold Ink-to-Shape Gesture

Immediate Effect: Your handwriting will immediately return to normal without unwanted circular autocorrects. You do not need to restart OneNote.

Solution 2

Test the Ink Smoothing Feature

If your handwriting still feels distorted or artificially altered after disabling the gesture, adjusting the ink smoothing setting can restore a natural feel.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Seamless and Frustration-Free Experience

If you are tired of unpredictable handwriting corrections and complex settings in Microsoft Office apps, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, intuitive, and highly compatible suite for all your document creation, note-taking, and PDF annotation needs.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install and Open: Run the installation file. Once installed, open WPS Office and create a new document or import your existing Microsoft Office files.
3. Start Annotating: Navigate to the 'Comment' or 'Draw' tab in WPS PDF or Writer to begin annotating seamlessly with your digital pen.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.Smooth, precise, and bug-free digital ink support in WPS PDF and Writer for easy document annotation.Free to use, incredibly lightweight, and runs flawlessly on older devices.Familiar tabbed user interface that requires zero learning curve to master.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneNote keep changing my letters into shapes?

OneNote includes a feature designed to help you draw perfect shapes by pausing your pen at the end of a stroke. If you naturally pause while writing round letters like 'a' or 'q', OneNote misinterprets the pause as an attempt to draw a circle.

Is the 'Ink to Shape' button the same as the 'draw and hold' gesture?

No. The main 'Ink to Shape' button on the Draw ribbon continuously converts all drawn shapes automatically. The 'draw and hold' gesture is a distinct, newer setting in the Advanced options that triggers shape conversion only when you pause your pen.

Will disabling the draw-and-hold gesture ruin my handwriting quality?

Not at all. Disabling this gesture only stops the automatic shape conversion when you pause your pen. It will not alter the smoothness or underlying quality of your normal handwriting strokes.

Office App Problems