How to View a PDF and Take Notes in OneNote Side-by-Side
Question details
The user wants to find a way to view a PDF document and take notes in OneNote at the same time.
- Product
- OneNote
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Studying a textbook, reading a report, or reviewing a document while actively taking notes on the content.
- Observed behavior
- OneNote does not feature a dedicated side-by-side textbook and note-taking mode within a single page, requiring a workaround to view both simultaneously.
Ensure you have a reliable PDF reader application installed alongside Microsoft OneNote to utilize the side-by-side window layout effectively.
Use a Split Screen with a Dedicated PDF Reader
The most effective way to read a PDF and take notes simultaneously is to use your operating system's split-screen feature with a PDF reader and OneNote side-by-side.
Since OneNote does not have a built-in multi-panel view for separate files, opening the PDF in an external reader allows you to maintain independent scrolling and formatting while writing in OneNote.
Launch a dedicated PDF reader (such as WPS Office or Adobe Acrobat) and open your target PDF textbook or document.
Open the OneNote application and navigate to the notebook and page where you wish to write your notes.
Click and drag the PDF reader's title bar to the left edge of your screen, or use the 'Windows Key + Left Arrow' shortcut on Windows, to snap it to the left half of the display.
Select the OneNote application to automatically fill the right half of your screen. You can now read the PDF and type or draw notes at the same time.
Insert the PDF as a Printout in OneNote
If you prefer keeping everything contained within a single application, you can insert the PDF pages directly onto your OneNote canvas and annotate around them.
Read, Annotate, and Take Notes on PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Instead of juggling multiple applications for reading and note-taking, use WPS Office to streamline your workflow. WPS Office features a built-in, powerful PDF editor alongside its Word processor, allowing you to use a tabbed interface to view your PDF and write your notes side-by-side within a single software window.
- 1. Download and install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your computer.
- 2. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document using the built-in WPS PDF tool.
- 3. Open a new note document: Click the '+' icon in the top tab bar to create a new blank Word document for your notes.
- 4. Split the workspace: Drag the Word document tab away from the main bar to split your screen, allowing you to read the PDF and type notes in the document side-by-side within WPS Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can OneNote convert my inserted PDF into editable text?
No, when you insert a PDF into OneNote as a printout or attachment, it is treated as a static image or an external file. OneNote does not automatically convert the PDF content into fully editable text, though you can right-click the printout and select 'Copy Text from Picture' to extract snippets of text.
How do I insert a PDF into OneNote without printing the whole document?
If you only need specific sections or pages, open the PDF in a standard reader and use the screen clipping shortcut (Windows Key + Shift + S on Windows). Highlight the area you need, then paste it directly onto your OneNote page.
Is there a native side-by-side view for a PDF and notes inside OneNote?
OneNote does not currently provide a dedicated side-by-side textbook and note-taking mode within a single page layout. You must either use your operating system's window management to snap a separate PDF reader and OneNote side-by-side, or insert the PDF as a printout onto the note canvas.
