How to Change the Display of Embedded Documents in OneNote
Question details
Users want to customize the appearance or show the complete filename of embedded documents rather than a truncated version.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Embedding files and documents into a notebook page for reference or sharing.
- Observed behavior
- OneNote truncates the filename and only displays a standard icon, with no built-in settings to show the full filename or change the icon.
Keep in mind that Microsoft OneNote heavily restricts the visual customization of embedded files to maintain a standardized page layout.
Use Manual Text Descriptions and Submit Feedback
Since OneNote does not natively support expanding the filename or customizing the icon, you can use text workarounds and report the limitation to Microsoft.
Microsoft OneNote currently lacks a built-in feature to change the embedded document icon or disable filename truncation. The icon container has a fixed width, meaning long filenames will always be shortened with an ellipsis.
Click directly beside or underneath the embedded file icon on your OneNote page and type out the full filename or a helpful description so you can easily identify the document later.
If you need the most critical part of the filename visible, locate the document on your computer, rename it to be shorter and more concise, and then drag and drop it back into OneNote.
Visit the official Microsoft Feedback Portal for OneNote and submit a feature request to allow customizable embedded document displays and full filename visibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rename an embedded file directly inside OneNote?
No, OneNote does not allow you to rename a file once it is embedded on the page. You must rename the file on your local computer first, and then re-embed it into your notes.
Why does OneNote truncate the filename of my attachments?
OneNote uses a standardized icon container for embedded files, which has a fixed maximum width. Long filenames are automatically truncated with an ellipsis to keep the notebook page layout clean and tidy.
Is there a way to view the file properties of an embedded document?
You cannot view standard Windows file properties by right-clicking the icon directly within OneNote. You need to double-click to open the file, or right-click and select 'Save As' to download it to your local drive first.
