How to Use the OneNote Sort Pages Feature for Microsoft 365 Insiders
Question details
A user wants to understand how the new automatic Sort Pages feature works in OneNote and whether the page order synchronizes across devices.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A Microsoft 365 Insider is exploring beta features in OneNote Desktop to organize and sort notebook pages automatically.
- Observed behavior
- Users can sort pages alphabetically or by date, but the sorting appears to be stored locally and does not synchronize across devices.
Ensure you are enrolled in the Microsoft 365 Beta Channel and have the latest OneNote Desktop Insider build installed to access experimental features.
Sort Pages Using the OneNote Desktop Beta Feature
Access the new automatic sorting feature directly from the page tabs in your OneNote Desktop Insider build.
This feature allows you to organize cluttered notebooks by automatically arranging pages. Because users can return to the previous unsorted state at any time, the sorting preference is stored locally on the device.
Launch your OneNote application ensuring it is running an updated Beta Channel Insider build.
Select the specific notebook and section that contains the pages you wish to organize.
Right-click on any page tab within the section list to open the context menu.
Choose from the available sorting options: Alphabetically, By Creation Date, By Modification Date, or None (to return to an unsorted view).
Need a Lightweight, Free Alternative to Microsoft Office?
While OneNote tests beta features for Insiders, managing complex documents and notes across devices can still be a challenge. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight suite that is fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, providing a familiar interface for seamless document management and cross-device synchronization.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click the download button for the free version.
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- 3. Organize Your Work: Open WPS Office to start creating, managing, and syncing your documents across all your devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the OneNote sort pages feature sync across devices?
Based on current Insider testing, page sorting appears to be a local device feature and does not synchronize through OneDrive or across devices. This is similar to the sorting behavior previously seen in OneNote for Windows 10.
Who has access to the OneNote Sort Pages feature?
The feature is currently rolling out gradually to select users who are enrolled in the OneNote Desktop Beta Channel as Microsoft 365 Insiders.
Can I revert my pages to their original unsorted order?
Yes, the sorting feature includes a "None" or unsorted option, which restores the manual page order you had arranged before applying any automatic sorting.
Which versions of OneNote will support automatic page sorting?
Currently, it is being tested exclusively in the OneNote Desktop app for Microsoft 365 Insiders. Microsoft has not officially confirmed if it will be supported in OneNote 2016 or other standalone versions.
