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How to Use and Synchronize Custom OneNote Tags on iPad

John Wilson Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if they can create custom tags directly within the OneNote iPad app and how tags created on the desktop version behave when synchronizing with iOS.

How to Use and Synchronize Custom OneNote Tags on iPad

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: iPadOS
Scenario: Organizing and categorizing notes across multiple devices using custom tags.
Observed behavior: OneNote for iOS restricts custom tag creation, requiring users to understand the synchronization rules for tags imported via notebooks from the desktop version.

Before you start

Ensure your iPad has a stable internet connection and that you are signed into the exact same Microsoft account on both your desktop and iPad to allow your notebooks to sync properly.

Solution 1Recommended

Synchronize Custom Tags via the Desktop Application

Since OneNote for iPad does not support creating custom tags natively, you must create and apply them on your desktop version so they can sync to your iOS device.

While the iOS version of OneNote restricts the creation of new custom tags, it can still display and interact with them. For a custom tag to synchronize to your iPad, it must be actively applied to text within a notebook on the desktop version. The tag becomes permanently associated with that specific notebook.

Open OneNote on Desktop

Launch the OneNote desktop application on your Windows PC or Mac and open the notebook you plan to access on your iPad.

Create and Apply the Custom Tag

Create your new custom tag using the desktop tags menu. Crucially, apply this new tag to at least one line of text within the current notebook.

Sync the Notebook

Right-click the notebook's name and select 'Sync This Notebook' to push the changes to OneDrive, or wait for the automatic sync to complete.

Access on iPad

Open the OneNote app on your iPad. Once the notebook finishes syncing, the custom tag will appear on the applied text, allowing you to view and interact with it.

Synchronize Custom Tags via the Desktop Application

Tag Association Limit: Custom tags are tied strictly to the notebook they are used in. If you create a brand new notebook on your iPad, your desktop custom tags will not be available there until you apply them to that specific notebook from your computer first.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I search for my custom tags on the OneNote iPad app?

Yes, once the notebook containing the applied custom tags has successfully synced from your desktop to your iPad, you can use the standard search feature in the iOS app to find those specific tagged notes.

Why aren't my desktop custom tags showing up on my iPad?

Custom tags only sync if they are actively used in a notebook. If you created a custom tag in the desktop app's menu but did not apply it to any text on a page, it will not transfer over to the iPad version.

Will Microsoft add the ability to create custom tags directly on iOS?

Currently, OneNote for iOS only supports the default tag list. While Microsoft continuously updates its Office apps, there is no official confirmation on when or if native custom tag creation will be added to the iPadOS version.

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