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How to Search Selected Notebooks for Tags in OneNote
Question details
The user wants to filter a tag search to include only specific open notebooks rather than searching through all open notebooks.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Searching for tags across a customized subset of open notebooks while keeping shared and personal notebooks open in the background.
- Observed behavior
- The Find Tags feature only provides options to search the current section, section group, notebook, or 'All Notebooks', failing to provide a way to select a custom subset of open notebooks.
Review your currently open notebooks and identify exactly which ones contain the tags you need, as OneNote's built-in search scopes are limited to predefined hierarchies.
Organize Content into Section Groups
Since OneNote allows searching by 'Section Group', you can move the content you want to search into a single notebook and organize it into section groups.
OneNote does not currently support selecting multiple specific notebooks for a single tag search. Organizing related sections into a Section Group within a single notebook is the most effective workaround to narrow down your search scope.
Open the notebook where you want to consolidate your tags, right-click an empty space next to the section tabs, and select 'New Section Group'.
Drag and drop the specific sections you want to include in your tag search into this newly created Section Group.
Click on 'Find Tags' in the Home tab. In the Tags Summary pane, click the Search dropdown at the bottom and choose 'This Section Group'.
Temporarily Close Excluded Notebooks
Close the notebooks you do not want to search so that the 'All Notebooks' option only applies to the remaining open ones.
Use Separate OneNote Accounts
Isolate personal and shared work notebooks by using separate Microsoft accounts, which naturally limits the search scope.
Boost Your Productivity with WPS Office
While Microsoft OneNote has specific limitations regarding customized tag searches, managing your broader document workflow shouldn't be a hassle. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring seamless document management across all your devices.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install the software: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your device.
- 3. Open and edit your files: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your existing Microsoft Office documents without worrying about format conversion issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I select multiple specific notebooks in OneNote's Find Tags pane?
No, OneNote currently only allows you to search the current section, current section group, current notebook, or all open notebooks. You cannot manually check or uncheck a subset of open notebooks.
Where can I submit a feature request for OneNote?
You can submit suggestions and vote on feature requests at the official Microsoft Feedback Portal for OneNote. Microsoft frequently reviews user feedback there to plan future updates.
Will closing a notebook in OneNote delete my tags or notes?
No, closing a notebook simply removes it from your active workspace and stops it from syncing in the background. Your tags and notes remain safely stored in OneDrive or your local drive, and you can reopen the notebook at any time.
