Office Settings & Configuration

Why OneNote Pen Color Options Changed and How to Find Them

Phi Hung Vo Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is looking for the previous grid of pen colors and thickness options in OneNote, which appears to have been removed or relocated.

Why Have My OneNote Pen Color Options Changed?

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Using the Draw tab to change pen color and thickness for note-taking and document markup.
Observed behavior: The familiar grid for pen colors and thickness is missing, replaced by individual pen, pencil, and marker icons requiring additional clicks to change colors.

Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft 365 or OneNote application is fully updated to the latest version, as interface layouts can vary slightly between minor update releases.

Solution 1Recommended

Locate the New Pen and Color Menus in the Draw Tab

Navigate the updated Microsoft 365 interface to find the relocated pen color and thickness settings.

Recent updates to Microsoft 365 and OneNote have modernized the Draw tab. The legacy grid layout for colors and thickness has been replaced to streamline the interface, moving these options into a dedicated dropdown menu next to the pen tools.

Open the Draw Tab

Launch OneNote and click on the 'Draw' tab located in the top ribbon of the application.

Select a Drawing Tool

Click on the specific pen, pencil, or highlighter tool icon you wish to use from the updated toolbar.

Access the Color Menu

Click the small downward-facing arrow situated next to or underneath the selected pen tool to open the additional settings menu.

Choose Color and Thickness

Select your desired ink color from the dropdown palette and adjust the thickness using the slider or preset points provided.

Locate the New Pen and Color Menus in the Draw Tab

Solution 2

Submit Feedback to Microsoft for Interface Improvements

If the new layout hinders your workflow, you can send direct feedback to the Microsoft development team requesting the return of the color grid.

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If recent interface changes in Microsoft Office are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a familiar, user-friendly interface with intuitive draw and markup tools that are completely free to use.

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3. Explore the Tools: Launch WPS Office, open a document, and easily access your drawing and customization tools from the familiar top ribbon.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I revert OneNote to the old Draw tab layout?

No, Microsoft generally does not provide built-in options to revert to older interface layouts once an update is applied to Microsoft 365 applications.

Why did Microsoft change the pen color options?

The interface update was designed to unify the drawing and inking experience across all Microsoft 365 applications, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, by utilizing a single consolidated pen control system.

Are custom pen colors still available in the new update?

Yes, you can still access custom colors. Open the pen dropdown menu, click on 'More Colors', and select from the full standard palette or enter specific color values.

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