How to Collapse Text Boxes and Track Due Dates in OneNote
Question details
The user is looking for ways to collapse individual text boxes so only the heading is visible, and wants a built-in system to collect and chronologically sort task due dates.

- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Organizing detailed project notes and systematically tracking actionable items with deadlines.
- Observed behavior
- OneNote does not currently support collapsing arbitrary text boxes into headings, nor does it have a built-in chronological sorting system for task due dates.
Ensure you are using the latest version of Microsoft OneNote or OneNote for Windows 10, as the availability of specific tags and Outlook integrations may vary across versions.
Use OneNote Tags and Outlook Integration for Task Tracking
While OneNote cannot automatically sort due dates chronologically by default, using built-in Tags and Outlook Tasks provides a functional workaround.
By integrating OneNote with Outlook, you can assign specific due dates to actionable items. Outlook will then handle the chronological sorting and reminders.
Highlight the text you want to track, go to the 'Home' tab, click on 'Outlook Tasks', and select a due date (e.g., Today, Tomorrow, Custom).
Open Microsoft Outlook and navigate to your Tasks or To-Do pane. Your OneNote actions will appear here and can be sorted chronologically by due date.
If you prefer not to use Outlook, use OneNote's built-in 'To Do' tags. Click 'Find Tags' on the Home tab to open the Tags Summary pane, which groups all tagged items in your notebook.

Use Outline Collapsing for Hierarchies
Although you cannot collapse entire text boxes, you can collapse indented bullet points or text underneath a heading using the outlining feature.
Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft
Since text box collapsing and chronological due date sorting are not natively supported, submitting a formal feature request helps the product team prioritize these additions.
Try WPS Office for Structured Document and Task Management
If missing features in Microsoft Office apps are slowing down your productivity, WPS Office offers a powerful, seamless, and free alternative. Create beautifully structured documents with advanced outlining and built-in task tracking templates without the heavy subscription fees.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free version for your operating system.
- 2. Install and Launch: Run the installer, open WPS Office, and explore the Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentation tools.
- 3. Utilize Templates: Open the template library and search for 'Task Tracker' to find chronological to-do lists that fulfill your due-date tracking needs.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I collapse paragraphs in OneNote without using outlines?
No, OneNote requires text to be indented underneath a parent line in order to collapse it. Standard paragraphs placed in separate text boxes cannot be collapsed into each other.
Is there a way to view all my due dates in OneNote at a glance?
OneNote does not have a native calendar view for due dates. You must use the 'Find Tags' feature to generate a summary page of your actionable items, or sync your notes with Outlook Tasks to view them chronologically.
Why does double-clicking the outline handle not collapse my text?
If double-clicking the outline handle does not work, it usually means the text below is not properly indented. Ensure the child text is indented at least one level deeper than the heading you are clicking.




