Office Settings & Configuration

How to Use OneDrive Links and To-Do Tags Together in OneNote

Amos Gikunda Oct 7, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to upload a file to OneDrive, insert a link into OneNote, and attach a To-Do tag to it. However, the features are fragmented: OneNote for Windows 10 has the upload-and-link command but no To-Do tags, while OneNote for Microsoft 365 has To-Do tags but lacks the upload-and-link command.

How to Use OneDrive Links and To-Do Tags Together in OneNote

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating an actionable to-do list in OneNote that directly links to files hosted on OneDrive.
Observed behavior: OneNote for Windows 10 provides a direct option to upload a file to OneDrive and insert a link but lacks To-Do tags. Conversely, OneNote for Microsoft 365 supports To-Do tags but does not natively display the direct upload-and-link command.

Before you start

Ensure you are signed in to the same Microsoft account on both your OneDrive storage and your OneNote for Microsoft 365 application to easily manage permissions.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Link OneDrive Files and Apply To-Do Tags in OneNote for Microsoft 365

Since OneNote for Microsoft 365 fully supports To-Do tags, you can bypass the missing upload command by manually generating a sharing link from OneDrive and pasting it into your notebook.

This method ensures you get the full functionality of desktop tagging in OneNote for Microsoft 365 while still keeping your heavy file attachments securely hosted in the cloud.

Upload your file to OneDrive

Open OneDrive in your web browser or via Windows File Explorer, and upload or save the file you want to link in your notes.

Generate a sharing link

Right-click the newly uploaded file in OneDrive and select 'Share' or 'Copy link'. Copy the generated URL to your clipboard.

Insert the link into OneNote

Launch OneNote for Microsoft 365, navigate to your desired page, and paste the copied link. You can right-click the pasted link and select 'Edit Link' to change the display text to something more readable.

Apply the To-Do tag

Click anywhere on the line of text containing your newly inserted link. Navigate to the 'Home' tab on the top ribbon and click the 'To Do' tag icon (or press Ctrl+1 on your keyboard) to add an actionable checkbox.

Manually Link OneDrive Files and Apply To-Do Tags in OneNote for Microsoft 365

Submit a Feature Request: Because the direct 'Upload to OneDrive and insert link' command is not universally available in OneNote for Microsoft 365, you can request this feature by visiting the Microsoft feedback portal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't OneNote for Windows 10 have standard To-Do tags?

OneNote for Windows 10 was developed as a streamlined Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app. It lacks some of the robust tagging and organizational features found in the traditional desktop version (OneNote for Microsoft 365).

Can I directly upload files to OneDrive from inside OneNote for Microsoft 365?

While you can insert file printouts and local attachments directly, the specific 'Upload to OneDrive and insert link' command is often missing in the Microsoft 365 desktop version, meaning manual uploading is required.

Will Microsoft merge the features of both OneNote versions?

Microsoft is in the process of unifying its OneNote applications. Until the transition is complete, some features like specific OneDrive link commands and advanced To-Do tags may remain split across versions.

How do I request a missing feature in Microsoft OneNote?

You can submit feature requests or report missing functionalities directly to the development team by visiting the official Microsoft feedback portal and posting in the OneNote community forum.

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