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How to Open Two OneNote Windows Side by Side on iPad
Question details
The user wants to view and edit two different OneNote notebooks simultaneously in a side-by-side view on an iPad.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Trying to multitask or cross-reference notes by opening two notebook windows side by side on a tablet.
- Observed behavior
- The native OneNote iPad application currently lacks support for opening two separate notebook windows side by side using the iPadOS native Split View.
Ensure your iPad is updated to a recent version of iPadOS that supports Safari Split View, and have your Microsoft account credentials ready to log into OneNote Online.
Use Safari Split View with OneNote Online
Since the native app restricts multiple windows, using the web version of OneNote in Safari's native Split View is the most effective workaround.
By utilizing Safari's ability to open multiple browser windows on iPadOS, you can bypass the native OneNote app's limitation and view two notebooks simultaneously. Keep in mind that this method requires an active internet connection.
Launch the Safari browser on your iPad and navigate to OneNote Online (onenote.com).
Log in with your Microsoft account credentials and open the first notebook you want to view.
Tap the Multitasking button (three dots) located at the top center of your iPad screen, then select the 'Split View' icon.
Your current Safari window will sweep aside. Tap the Safari app icon again from your Home Screen or Dock to open a second browser window.
In the new Safari window, navigate to OneNote Online once more and open your second notebook. You can now view and edit both notebooks side by side.
Submit a Feature Request on the Feedback Portal
While not an immediate technical fix, letting Microsoft know about this missing feature can help prioritize its development for future iPad app updates.
Manage Your Documents Efficiently with WPS Office for iPad
While OneNote is great for basic notes, handling full documents often requires robust multitasking. WPS Office for iPad fully supports iPadOS Split View natively, allowing you to open multiple documents side by side without needing browser workarounds. It is a free, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that brings powerful document editing to your tablet.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Open the App Store on your iPad, search for 'WPS Office', and download the application.
- 2. Open Your First Document: Launch WPS Office and tap to open your first Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or PDF file.
- 3. Enable Split View: Tap the three dots at the top of your iPad screen and select Split View, then tap the WPS Office icon again from your dock.
- 4. Open a Second Document: Select a second document in the new window to easily view and edit both files side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't the OneNote app support Split View for two notebooks on iPad?
The native OneNote application for iPadOS has not yet been programmed by Microsoft to support multiple instances of itself, which is a structural requirement for Apple's native iPadOS side-by-side split screen functionality to work with the same app.
Can I use Slide Over to view two OneNote notes simultaneously?
No, Slide Over also requires the application to support multiple instances if you want to use the same app in both the main view and the Slide Over view. You will still need to rely on the Safari web browser workaround.
Will this Safari workaround work offline?
No. Because this workaround relies on OneNote Online accessed through a web browser, you must have an active internet connection to view, edit, and sync your notebooks.
Can I use a third-party browser instead of Safari for this workaround?
Yes, any modern iPad browser that supports iPadOS multi-window functionality, such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge for iPad, can be used to open multiple tabs of OneNote Online side by side.
