Why OneNote Has No Option to Add Custom Pens & How to Fix It
Question details
The user is unable to find the option to add custom pens in OneNote and wants to know why it is missing and how to manage their inking tools.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to customize inking tools and add new pens for digital note-taking or drawing.
- Observed behavior
- The option to add custom pens is completely missing from the interface, leaving only the built-in default pens available.
Verify which version of Microsoft OneNote you currently have installed on your system, as inking features differ significantly between the legacy desktop version and the modern Windows app.
Switch to the Modern OneNote App for Windows
The most direct way to get custom pen support is to use the modern Windows app version of OneNote, which features an updated Draw tab.
OneNote 2016 has a legacy interface that only supports a fixed set of built-in pens. The modern OneNote application (often referred to as OneNote for Windows 10 or simply OneNote in the Microsoft Store) fully supports creating, customizing, and saving new pens.
Click the Start button on your Windows computer, type 'Microsoft Store', and press Enter to open the storefront.
Search for 'OneNote' in the top search bar. Locate the official app published by Microsoft Corporation and click 'Get' or 'Install'.
Launch the newly installed OneNote app, open any notebook, and navigate to the 'Draw' tab on the top ribbon.
Click the '+' or 'Add Pen' icon in the toolbar. Select your desired pen type, thickness, and color to add it to your permanent collection.
Manage and Reorder Pens in OneNote 2016
If you prefer to stay on OneNote 2016 for its specific features, you cannot add new custom pens, but you can organize the existing default ones.
Try WPS Office for Your Document and Note-Taking Needs
If you are frustrated by version limitations and fragmented features in Microsoft Office applications, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and unified suite. It offers robust PDF inking, document editing, and seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office formats in a single, easy-to-use interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drag and drop pens to reorder them in OneNote 2016?
No, OneNote 2016 does not support drag-and-drop for organizing pens. You must right-click the pen in the Draw tab and choose 'Move Up' or 'Move Down' repeatedly to change their order.
Will OneNote 2016 ever get the custom pen feature?
Microsoft has historically focused new feature development, including advanced inking capabilities and custom pens, on the newer OneNote applications rather than updating the legacy interface of OneNote 2016.
How do I know which version of OneNote I am using?
Go to the 'File' menu and click on 'Account'. The product information section will display whether you are using OneNote 2016, a Microsoft 365 version, or if you are using the unified OneNote app for Windows.
