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How to Find All Checkboxes and To Do Tags in OneNote

Nimra Malik Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants an overview of all checkboxes (To Do tags) scattered across various sections and pages within a single OneNote notebook.

How to Find All Checkboxes and To Do Tags in OneNote

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Tracking tasks and pending items across multiple sections and pages within a comprehensive notebook.
Observed behavior: The user needs a consolidated view or search mechanism to easily locate all existing To Do tags at once without manually browsing each page.

Before you start

Ensure your OneNote notebook is fully synced to Microsoft 365 so that the search results include your most recent edits and newly added tags.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Find Tags Feature in OneNote

OneNote includes a built-in Tags Summary pane that aggregates all your To Do tags and other tagged notes into one easy-to-navigate list.

The Find Tags feature scans your notebook for any assigned tags and groups them by tag name, section, or date. It allows you to quickly see what tasks are pending and jump straight to their location.

Open the Home Tab

Launch OneNote and open the notebook you want to search. Click on the **Home** tab in the top ribbon.

Click Find Tags

In the Tags group on the ribbon, click the **Find Tags** button to open the Tags Summary task pane on the right side of your screen.

Review the Tags Summary

Scroll through the pane to view all your To Do tags. You can click on any specific checkbox or tag in the list to instantly jump to its exact location on the corresponding page.

Adjust Search Scope

If you don't see all your tags, go to the bottom of the Tags Summary pane, click the **Search** dropdown menu, and change the scope to **This Notebook** or **All Notebooks**.

Create a Master Checklist: You can click 'Create Summary Page' at the bottom of the Tags Summary pane to instantly generate a new OneNote page containing a master list of all the tags found in your search.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I filter the search to show only unchecked To Do tags in OneNote?

Yes. In the Tags Summary task pane, simply check the box labeled 'Show only unchecked items' located near the bottom. This will hide completed tasks so you can focus solely on pending items.

Why are some of my To Do tags not showing up in the Tags Summary?

This usually happens if the search scope is too narrow. Check the 'Search' dropdown at the bottom of the Tags Summary pane and ensure it is set to 'This Notebook' or 'All Notebooks' instead of a restricted scope like 'This Page Group'.

Can I search for custom tags using the Find Tags feature?

Absolutely. The Find Tags feature aggregates all tags used in your notes. This includes default tags like 'Important' or 'Question', as well as any custom tags you have created and applied.

How do I export my OneNote tag summary to a separate document?

First, click the 'Create Summary Page' button at the bottom of the Tags Summary pane. Once OneNote generates a master list page, you can export that specific page as a PDF or Word document by navigating to File > Export.

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