How to Restore the Missing Sort By Option in OneNote for Windows 10
Question details
The user needs to restore the missing Sort By feature in OneNote for Windows 10 to organize and sort notebook pages by date or alphabetically.
- Product
- OneNote for Windows 10
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to organize and sort notebook pages within the application interface.
- Observed behavior
- The Sort By option is entirely missing from the user interface, preventing the user from sorting their pages.
Ensure your Windows 10 operating system is fully up to date, and verify that all your OneNote notebooks are completely synced to OneDrive to prevent data loss.
Disable Legacy Navigation Panes
Turning off the legacy navigation panes in settings often forces the modern interface to load, restoring the Sort By feature.
OneNote for Windows 10 includes an option to use legacy navigation panes. When this feature is enabled, newer interface elements like the Sort By functionality are hidden.
Launch OneNote for Windows 10, click the Settings and More icon (three dots) in the upper-right corner, and select Settings.
Click on 'Options' from the Settings menu pane that appears.
Scroll down to find the 'Legacy navigation panes' option and toggle the switch to the Off position.
Close the OneNote application completely and reopen it to see if the Sort By option has been restored above your page list.
Reinstall OneNote via the Microsoft Store
If the Microsoft Store incorrectly reports that OneNote is updated but features are missing, a clean reinstallation forces the newest version to install.
Switch to WPS Office for a Seamless Productivity Experience
If you are tired of dealing with missing features and update loops in Microsoft applications, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly suite for all your document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs.
- 1. Visit the Website: Go to the official WPS Office website to access the secure download.
- 2. Download the Installer: Click the Free Download button to save the lightweight installation file to your Windows 10 PC.
- 3. Install and Launch: Run the installer, follow the simple on-screen instructions, and launch WPS Office to start working immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Sort By option missing in OneNote for Windows 10?
The Sort By option is usually hidden if 'Legacy navigation panes' is enabled in your settings, or if you are running an outdated build of the application (such as version 16001.11126 from early 2019).
Will reinstalling OneNote for Windows 10 delete my notebooks?
No. As long as your notebooks are successfully synced to your Microsoft OneDrive account, they are safely stored in the cloud and will automatically load when you reinstall the app and sign back in.
How do I sort pages once the feature is restored?
After restoring the feature, click the Sort icon located at the top of your page list. You can then choose to sort your pages alphabetically, by date created, or by date modified.
What if the Microsoft Store says OneNote is already up to date?
The Microsoft Store cache can sometimes report false statuses. The most reliable fix is to manually uninstall OneNote for Windows 10 from your Windows Settings and reinstall it fresh from the Store.
