Fix OneNote Ink Moving When Copying in Right-to-Left Mode
Question details
The user's drawn ink changes its alignment or shifts positions when copying and pasting on a OneNote page set to a right-to-left layout.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Windows, Android
- Scenario
- Copying and pasting drawn ink on pages utilizing right-to-left alignment.
- Observed behavior
- The pasted ink shifts from its original alignment, causing layout inconsistencies on the page.
Ensure you have saved your current notes and try to select the specific ink strokes carefully before attempting the workarounds to prevent losing any drawn data.
Temporarily Switch to Left-to-Right Page Alignment
By changing the page alignment to left-to-right before copying and pasting, you can bypass the ink placement bug.
This bug occurs because the clipboard misinterprets coordinates when operating in right-to-left mode. Temporarily switching the layout provides a reliable way to preserve ink alignment.
Navigate to your OneNote display settings and temporarily change the page layout from right-to-left to left-to-right.
Select the ink you want to duplicate, copy it using your standard keyboard shortcut or context menu, and paste it into the desired location.
Once the ink is successfully placed without shifting, return to the settings and restore your right-to-left page alignment.
Paste the Ink as an Image
Converting the copied ink strokes into a static image ensures the layout remains fixed and does not shift upon pasting.
Report the Issue to Microsoft
Since this is a known bug affecting OneNote 2016 and Android, reporting it directly helps prioritize a future patch.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my ink move when I paste it in OneNote?
This is a known software glitch in OneNote when using a right-to-left page layout. The clipboard miscalculates the coordinates of the ink strokes during pasting, causing them to shift horizontally.
Can I fix the ink moving issue permanently in OneNote?
Currently, there is no permanent settings fix within OneNote. You must rely on workarounds, such as temporarily switching to a left-to-right layout or pasting the ink as a picture, until Microsoft patches the bug.
Does this ink shifting issue happen on all devices?
Yes, this specific right-to-left layout bug has been confirmed to affect users on both OneNote 2016 for Windows desktop and the OneNote mobile app for Android.
