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How to Display the Section Name in OneNote Full-Page View

Bushra ParveenBushra Parveen Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to keep the section name continuously visible while working in OneNote's full-page view.

How to Display the Section Name in OneNote Full-Page View
Product
Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Taking notes or reading in full-page view and needing to reference the current section name without switching views.
Observed behavior
After a software update, the section name is no longer visible in full-page view and immediately disappears when switching to another application.
Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft OneNote application is updated to the latest version to verify if Microsoft has released any new patches addressing this UI layout.

Solution 1Recommended

Acknowledge the Layout Change and Submit Feedback

Currently, Microsoft OneNote does not provide a built-in setting to restore the previous layout. The best approach is to adapt to the new interface and submit an official feature request.

Recent updates to Microsoft OneNote have intentionally modified the full-page view behavior to maximize the screen space dedicated to your notes. Consequently, interface elements like the section name are hidden automatically.

1
Exit full-page view temporarily

To check your current section name, click the double-arrow icon in the top right corner of the window to exit full-page view. This will reveal your notebooks, sections, and pages.

2
Add the section name to the page title

As a temporary workaround, manually type the section name in brackets at the beginning or end of your page title (e.g., '[Meeting Notes] Q3 Planning'). This ensures the context is always visible even in full-page mode.

3
Submit feedback to Microsoft

Open your web browser and navigate to the Microsoft Feedback Portal (feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback). Search for OneNote and submit a request to add a toggle for making section names visible in full-page view.

Acknowledge the Layout Change and Submit Feedback
No Registry Hack Available: There is no known registry key or hidden settings toggle that can revert this specific interface change. Relying on official feedback is the safest way to request the feature's return.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I roll back to a previous version of OneNote to get the section name back?

While it is technically possible to use Office Deployment Tools to revert to an older version of Microsoft Office, it is highly discouraged. Doing so removes important security updates and bug fixes, leaving your device vulnerable.

Does this issue affect both the OneNote desktop app and OneNote for Windows 10?

Interface updates typically roll out to the unified OneNote desktop application. If you still have the legacy OneNote for Windows 10 app installed on your computer, you might find that it retains the older layout style, though Microsoft is phasing it out.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to quickly check my current section?

You can press F11 (or the designated full-screen shortcut depending on your version) to quickly toggle in and out of full-page view, allowing you to instantly check the section name in the navigation pane.