First-time keyboard guide
Use this short routine before following the Microsoft OneNote Screen Reader Manual procedures. It explains exactly how the keyboard directions in this manual work.
Press a single key
- Find the named key without pressing it if possible.
- Press and release the key one time. Do not hold it unless the step specifically says to hold it.
- Stop and listen to the full screen-reader announcement before pressing another key.
Press a keyboard combination
- When a command contains a plus sign, such as Ctrl+S, hold down the first key.
- While continuing to hold the first key, press and release the final key once.
- Release the first key. The plus sign is not a key and should not be pressed.
- Listen for the expected result described in the procedure. If nothing changes, verify that the correct application or webpage has focus and try the command once more.
Press a sequence of keys
- When keys are separated by commas or the word “then,” press and release them in order instead of holding them together.
- After each key, listen for a menu, tab, control, or new screen before continuing.
- If the announcement does not match the step, press Escape once to close the current menu or dialog and restart that procedure.
Know which navigation key to try
- Tab and Shift+Tab: move forward and backward among buttons, links, fields, and other controls.
- Arrow keys: move inside menus, lists, groups of choices, text, and many screen-reader reading views.
- Enter: opens the selected item or activates the focused command.
- Space: activates many buttons and checks or clears checkboxes. In a text field, Space types a space.
- Escape: cancels or closes the current menu, list, or dialog without intentionally accepting a change.
Verify before moving on
- Listen for the window, page, or application name so you know where focus is.
- Perform only one numbered step.
- Compare what the screen reader announces with the “What should happen” information in the procedure.
- If the result is wrong, stop. Use the procedure’s recovery directions, Escape to cancel, or Ctrl+Z to undo when that command is supported.
- Continue only after you can identify the result. Save completed work with Ctrl+S whenever the application supports saving.
First complete OneNote organization session
- Open OneNote and confirm the account and notebook before adding private information.
- Create a practice section, name it Technology Practice, and verify that it appears in the intended notebook.
- Create a new page with Ctrl+N and type Keyboard Notes in the page-title field.
- Move into the page body, type a short introductory sentence, and create a three-item list.
- Apply a To Do tag with Ctrl+1 to one practice line and confirm its checked or unchecked state.
- Insert a two-column practice table using Tab between the first row’s entries; add clear headers before entering data.
- Press Ctrl+F to search the current page for a known word. Press Escape to close the search result and return to the note.
- Press Ctrl+E to search all notebooks, enter the page title, and verify the notebook, section, and page before opening the result.
- Insert a harmless file link or attachment and confirm whether OneNote created a link, printout, or embedded attachment.
- Use the page list to move the practice page up or down, then confirm its new position.
- Check synchronization status and wait until the notebook reports current before closing OneNote.
- Reopen OneNote, locate the page through section navigation and search, and verify the title, list, tag, table, and attachment.
Recovery: Use Ctrl+Z for an incorrect page edit, but restore deleted pages or sections through notebook recovery tools rather than assuming ordinary Undo will remain available.
Microsoft screen reader support for OneNote
Purpose: This manual teaches current Microsoft OneNote from the beginning to a person using a screen reader. It explains what to press, where focus should move, what should be announced, and how to recover when the result is different.
Reference version: The main procedures are written for the current OneNote desktop app included with Microsoft 365 on Windows. Separate sections cover OneNote for the web, macOS/VoiceOver, mobile, and braille.
Important version note: The former OneNote for Windows 10 app reached end of support in October 2025. This guide therefore focuses on the current desktop OneNote app rather than the retired Windows 10 app.
How to Use This Manual
Learn OneNote's structure first: notebook, section, page, page title, and content block.
Use Ctrl+G to move to the notebook picker, Ctrl+Shift+G to move to sections, and Ctrl+Alt+G to move to pages.
Press Ctrl+T to create a section and Ctrl+N to create a page in the current section.
Press Tab from a page title to move into the page content area.
OneNote pages can contain several independent note containers; screen readers may announce them as content blocks.
Use Ctrl+E to search all notebooks and Ctrl+F to search the current page.
Use Ctrl+1 through Ctrl+9 for common note tags; Ctrl+0 removes note tags from selected notes.
Use F9 to synchronize all shared notebooks and Shift+F9 to synchronize the current shared notebook.
Save is normally automatic because OneNote synchronizes notebook changes.
Before sharing, verify which notebook you are sharing and whether it contains private sections/pages.
Part 1 - What OneNote Is
OneNote is a digital notebook application. Information is organized in a hierarchy rather than as separate files for every note.
Notebook: the top-level collection of notes.
Section: a major category within a notebook.
Section group: an optional folder-like grouping of sections.
Page: one note page inside a section.
Subpage: a page visually/structurally nested beneath another page.
Page title: the page's name and a key navigation cue.
Content block: a note container on the page. One page can contain several.
Tag: a marker such as To Do, Important, Question, or Contact.
Shared notebook: a notebook stored where other authorized people can collaborate.
Part 2 - Open OneNote and Learn the Structure
2.1 Open OneNote
What you will learn: Start OneNote without using a mouse.
Before you begin: OneNote must be installed.
Exactly how to do it
Press the Windows key.
Type OneNote.
Press Enter on Microsoft OneNote.
Wait for the app to open.
Press Ctrl+G.
Listen for the current notebook.
Press Ctrl+Shift+G.
Listen for the current section.
Press Ctrl+Alt+G.
Listen for the current page.
What should happen: You can identify the notebook, section, and page layers.
If that does not happen: If one shortcut does not move focus, press Escape to close menus/dialogs and try again.
Practice: Open OneNote and identify notebook, section, and page.
Focus map: Notebook, section, page, page title, and page content are separate focus locations. When a command behaves unexpectedly, identify which layer currently has focus.
Part 3 - Switch Notebooks
3.1 Switch to Another Open Notebook
What you will learn: Move between notebooks without hunting through the interface.
Before you begin: Have more than one notebook open.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+G.
Use Up/Down Arrow through the notebook list.
Listen to each notebook name.
Press Spacebar on the notebook you want.
Wait for its last visited page to open.
Press Ctrl+Shift+G to verify its sections.
What should happen: The selected notebook becomes active.
If that does not happen: If only one notebook is listed, another notebook has not been opened/synced into this OneNote profile.
Practice: Switch between two notebooks and return.
Part 4 - Create and Navigate Sections
4.1 Create a Section
What you will learn: Add a major category to the current notebook.
Before you begin: Open the notebook where the section belongs.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+T.
Listen for the new section name text box.
Type a descriptive section name.
Press Enter.
What should happen: A new section is created and named.
If that does not happen: If a new page appears unexpectedly, confirm you pressed Ctrl+T rather than Ctrl+N.
Practice: Create a section named Practice.
4.2 Navigate Sections
What you will learn: Move directly through section tabs.
Before you begin: The notebook has multiple sections.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+Shift+G.
Use Up/Down Arrow through sections as announced in your current layout.
Stop on the desired section.
Press Spacebar or Enter if necessary to activate it.
Press Ctrl+Alt+G to move to that section's pages.
What should happen: The selected section becomes active and its pages are available.
If that does not happen: If arrows move within page text, Ctrl+Shift+G did not move focus to sections.
Practice: Move through every section once.
Part 5 - Create and Navigate Pages
5.1 Create a Page
What you will learn: Add a new note page to the current section.
Before you begin: Select the correct section first.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+N.
Listen for a new untitled page and page-title field.
Type a descriptive page title.
Press Enter.
Begin typing page content.
What should happen: A new page is created at the end of the current section.
If that does not happen: If a new application window opens, verify the OneNote window had focus.
Practice: Create pages named Meeting Notes and Ideas.
5.2 Navigate Pages
What you will learn: Move among pages without searching.
Before you begin: The section has several pages.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+Alt+G.
Use Up/Down Arrow through page titles.
Press Spacebar or Enter on the desired page.
Listen for the page title.
Press Tab once to move into the content area.
What should happen: The desired page opens and you can reach its notes.
If that does not happen: If Ctrl+Alt+G does not move to pages, close any dialog and try again.
Practice: Move among five pages and return to the first.
Part 6 - Page Titles and Content Blocks
6.1 Jump to the Page Title
What you will learn: Rename or review the page's title.
Before you begin: A page is open.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+Shift+T.
Listen for the page title.
Edit the title if needed.
Press Enter.
Press Tab to move into the page content.
What should happen: Focus moves to the page title and then back to content.
If that does not happen: If Ctrl+Shift+T affects selected text instead, make sure OneNote—not a browser—is active.
Practice: Rename a practice page and rename it back.
6.2 Move Between Content Blocks
What you will learn: Understand OneNote's free-form note containers.
Before you begin: A page contains more than one note container.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+A three times to select all content blocks on the page.
Press Tab to move among the selected content blocks.
Press Shift+Tab to move backward.
Press Escape to cancel the block selection when finished.
What should happen: Focus cycles among note containers rather than only within one line of text.
If that does not happen: If Ctrl+A selects only text, press it additional times as documented until page content blocks are selected.
Practice: Create two separate note containers and move between them.
Beginner recommendation: For predictable screen-reader reading order, keep most notes in one main vertical content block unless separate containers are truly useful.
Part 7 - Type, Edit, and Format Notes
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Bold | Ctrl+B |
| Italic | Ctrl+I |
| Underline | Ctrl+U |
| Undo / Redo | Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y |
| Copy / Cut / Paste | Ctrl+C / Ctrl+X / Ctrl+V |
| Select all / expand selection | Ctrl+A, press again as needed |
| Left align | Ctrl+L |
| Right align | Ctrl+R |
7.1 Edit a Note
What you will learn: Correct existing text precisely.
Before you begin: Place the caret in page text.
Exactly how to do it
Use Ctrl+Left/Right Arrow to move by word.
Use Left/Right Arrow to move by character.
Use Backspace or Delete to remove incorrect text.
Type the correction.
Press Ctrl+Z if the change occurs in the wrong location.
What should happen: Only the intended text changes.
If that does not happen: If arrow keys move between OneNote interface elements, return to the page content area with Tab/F6 as appropriate.
Practice: Create and correct three errors.
7.2 Apply Formatting
What you will learn: Format selected text without retyping it.
Before you begin: Select a practice phrase.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+B.
Move the caret into the formatted text.
Use your screen reader's formatting-information command if available.
Press Ctrl+B again to remove bold when desired.
What should happen: The selected text toggles bold formatting.
If that does not happen: If newly typed text stays bold unintentionally, press Ctrl+B once more to turn bold off.
Practice: Bold, italicize, and underline separate phrases.
Part 8 - Lists and Outlines
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Bulleted list | Ctrl+Period |
| Numbered list | Ctrl+Forward slash or Ctrl+Shift+O |
| Increase indent/outline level | Tab |
| Decrease indent/outline level | Shift+Tab |
| Move paragraph up/down | Alt+Shift+Up / Alt+Shift+Down |
| Increase/decrease paragraph indent | Alt+Shift+Right / Alt+Shift+Left |
8.1 Create a Bulleted List
What you will learn: Create a structured list of related notes.
Before you begin: Place the caret on a blank line.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+Period.
Type the first item.
Press Enter.
Type the second item.
Press Enter.
Type the third item.
Press Enter twice or toggle the list command off to leave the list.
What should happen: OneNote creates a bulleted list.
If that does not happen: If a period is typed instead of creating a list, confirm Ctrl is held with the Period key.
Practice: Create a three-item list.
8.2 Create an Outline
What you will learn: Build hierarchical notes.
Before you begin: Start a bulleted or plain-text outline.
Exactly how to do it
Type a top-level item and press Enter.
Press Tab to indent one level.
Type a subordinate item.
Press Enter.
Press Shift+Tab to return one level.
Use Alt+Shift+Up/Down to reorder selected paragraphs.
What should happen: The note structure gains levels that can be collapsed/expanded in supported contexts.
If that does not happen: If Tab inserts a tab character, place the caret at the beginning of the paragraph/list item.
Practice: Create a two-level outline.
Part 9 - Note Tags
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| To Do | Ctrl+1 |
| Important | Ctrl+2 |
| Question | Ctrl+3 |
| Remember for later | Ctrl+4 |
| Definition | Ctrl+5 |
| Highlight | Ctrl+6 |
| Contact | Ctrl+7 |
| Address | Ctrl+8 |
| Phone number | Ctrl+9 |
| Remove selected note tags | Ctrl+0 |
9.1 Apply a To Do Tag
What you will learn: Turn a line into a trackable task marker.
Before you begin: Place the caret in a note line.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+1.
Listen for the tag/checkbox announcement if your screen reader reports it.
Press Ctrl+1 again when you want to mark/select/clear the To Do state according to the current note context.
Use Ctrl+0 when you need to remove tags from selected notes.
What should happen: The note is tagged as a To Do item.
If that does not happen: If the shortcut produces a literal number, the page content may not have focus.
Practice: Tag three action items.
Part 10 - Tables
10.1 Create a Quick Table
What you will learn: Turn typed text into a table with Tab.
Before you begin: Place the caret on a blank line.
Exactly how to do it
Type the first cell text.
Press Tab.
Type the next cell.
Press Tab.
Continue entering cells.
When the caret is in the last table cell, press Tab to create another cell/row.
Use Ctrl+Enter inside a table cell when you intentionally want to insert a row below.
What should happen: OneNote creates and extends a table.
If that does not happen: If Tab simply indents text, the initial context may not be creating a table; use Insert > Table instead.
Practice: Create a 3-column table with two data rows.
Accessibility: Keep OneNote tables simple. Avoid using a complex table when headings or lists would communicate the information more clearly.
Part 11 - Links, Files, Pictures, and Alt Text
11.1 Insert a Hyperlink
What you will learn: Create useful linked text.
Before you begin: Select meaningful text.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+K.
Enter or paste the destination address.
Press Enter.
Read the linked phrase and confirm it describes the destination.
What should happen: The selected text becomes a hyperlink.
If that does not happen: If the visible text is only a long raw URL, replace it with descriptive text when the URL itself is not needed.
Practice: Create one descriptive link.
11.2 Add Alt Text to a Picture
What you will learn: Describe a meaningful image.
Before you begin: Insert or select a picture.
Exactly how to do it
Open the picture's context menu with Shift+F10.
Find the Alt Text or accessibility-related command available in your version.
Enter a concise description of the image's purpose/content.
Close the pane/dialog.
What should happen: The image has alternative text for screen-reader users.
If that does not happen: If Alt Text is not available in the context menu, use the Ribbon or Accessibility Checker to reach the control.
Practice: Add alt text to a practice image.
Embedded files: Microsoft accessibility guidance recommends alternative text for important visuals and embedded files, along with meaningful link text and descriptive section/page names.
Part 12 - Search OneNote
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Search all notebooks | Ctrl+E |
| Search current page | Ctrl+F |
12.1 Search All Notebooks
What you will learn: Find a note even when you do not remember where it is stored.
Before you begin: Know one distinctive word or phrase.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+E.
Type the search term.
Use Arrow keys through results.
Listen for notebook/section/page context when announced.
Press Enter on the desired result.
What should happen: OneNote opens the matching page/result.
If that does not happen: If results are too broad, type a more distinctive phrase or narrow the search scope from the search controls.
Practice: Search for one word across several notebooks.
12.2 Search the Current Page
What you will learn: Locate one phrase on a long page.
Before you begin: Open a page with several paragraphs.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+F.
Type the phrase.
Move through matches.
Press Escape when finished.
What should happen: OneNote highlights/navigates matching text on the current page.
If that does not happen: If the search finds results elsewhere, verify you used Ctrl+F rather than Ctrl+E.
Practice: Find three terms on one page.
Part 13 - Audio Notes
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Start a new audio recording | Ctrl+Alt+A |
| Play selected audio | Ctrl+Alt+P |
| Stop audio playback | Ctrl+Alt+S |
| Back 10 seconds | Ctrl+Alt+Y |
| Forward 10 seconds | Ctrl+Alt+U |
13.1 Record an Audio Note
What you will learn: Capture audio associated with a page.
Before you begin: Use a non-confidential practice notebook and confirm microphone permission.
Exactly how to do it
Place the caret where the recording should be associated.
Press Ctrl+Alt+A.
Speak a short practice sentence.
Use the recording controls to stop recording.
Select the audio item.
Press Ctrl+Alt+P to play it.
Press Ctrl+Alt+S to stop playback.
What should happen: An audio recording is attached to the page and can be played.
If that does not happen: If recording does not start, check microphone permissions and whether another application is using the microphone.
Practice: Record and play a short harmless note.
Privacy: Audio recording can capture people who did not expect to be recorded. Follow consent, workplace, school, and local legal requirements.
Part 14 - Move, Copy, Rename, and Delete Pages/Sections
14.1 Move a Page Up or Down
What you will learn: Reorder pages in the current section.
Before you begin: Focus the page list.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+Alt+G.
Use Up/Down Arrow to select the page.
Press Shift+Alt+Up or Shift+Alt+Down.
Listen for the page's new position.
What should happen: The page moves within the section.
If that does not happen: If the text paragraph moves instead, focus is still in page content rather than the page list.
Practice: Move a practice page and move it back.
14.2 Delete a Page
What you will learn: Remove a page deliberately.
Before you begin: Focus the page in the page list.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+Alt+G.
Select the disposable page.
Press Shift+F10.
Move to Delete page.
Activate it.
Confirm if prompted.
What should happen: The page is removed.
If that does not happen: Always read the page title before deleting. Shared notebooks may affect other collaborators.
Practice: Create and delete a disposable page.
14.3 Move a Section
What you will learn: Reorder sections within a notebook.
Before you begin: Focus the sections pane.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+Shift+G.
Select the section.
Press Shift+Alt+Up or Shift+Alt+Down.
Listen for the new order.
What should happen: The section changes position.
If that does not happen: If the command changes a paragraph, return to the sections pane.
Practice: Move the Practice section and restore its position.
Part 15 - Section Groups
15.1 Create a Section Group
What you will learn: Group related sections in a large notebook.
Before you begin: Open a notebook with several sections.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+Shift+G.
Press Shift+F10.
Move to New section group.
Press Spacebar or Enter.
Type a descriptive group name.
Press Enter.
What should happen: A new section group is created.
If that does not happen: If the context menu opens for a page, press Ctrl+Shift+G before retrying.
Practice: Create a section group named Archive Practice.
15.2 Move a Section into a Section Group
What you will learn: Organize existing sections.
Before you begin: Focus the section.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+Shift+G.
Select the section.
Press Shift+F10.
Choose Move or Copy.
Find the destination section group.
Select it and complete the Move action.
What should happen: The section moves into the section group.
If that does not happen: If you need the section in both places, use Copy rather than Move when the dialog offers it.
Practice: Move a practice section and return it.
Part 16 - Sharing and Collaboration
16.1 Share a Notebook
What you will learn: Give another person access to a notebook rather than a single isolated page.
Before you begin: Use a notebook appropriate for sharing.
Exactly how to do it
Open the Share command from the Ribbon/File area.
Enter the recipient's email address.
Review the permission level offered by your Microsoft 365/OneDrive/SharePoint environment.
Read the notebook name again.
Add a message if needed.
Activate Send/Share.
What should happen: The recipient receives access according to the selected permission.
If that does not happen: OneNote sharing is generally notebook-based. Do not share a notebook that contains private sections just because one page is safe.
Practice: Inspect sharing controls on a practice notebook without sending.
Collaboration: Shared notebooks can synchronize other people's edits. Use descriptive page/section names so collaborators can navigate changes efficiently.
Part 17 - Sync and Offline Behavior
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Synchronize all shared notebooks | F9 |
| Synchronize current shared notebook | Shift+F9 |
17.1 Force a Sync
What you will learn: Check whether recent changes synchronize.
Before you begin: Use a notebook stored in OneDrive or SharePoint.
Exactly how to do it
Press Shift+F9 to sync the current shared notebook.
Wait for any synchronization status message.
Press F9 when you want to synchronize all shared notebooks.
Check whether another device/web view reflects the updated page when practical.
What should happen: OneNote attempts to synchronize changes.
If that does not happen: If sync fails, check internet access, Microsoft account sign-in, storage, permissions, and any notebook sync error message.
Practice: Create a harmless test note and force a sync.
Offline behavior: OneNote can cache notes locally, but cloud collaboration depends on later synchronization. Avoid assuming another person has seen a change until sync completes.
Part 18 - Accessibility Checker and Accessible Notebook Design
Give notebooks, section groups, sections, and pages unique descriptive names.
Remove unused empty pages/sections that create navigation noise.
Add alt text to meaningful pictures and embedded files.
Use meaningful hyperlink text.
Do not use color alone to convey meaning.
Use readable contrast and formatting.
Keep tables simple.
Prefer one predictable vertical reading order rather than scattering many note containers around the canvas.
Run Accessibility Checker before sharing important notebook content.
Use Immersive Reader as an additional way to review how note text flows.
18.1 Run Accessibility Checker
What you will learn: Find common barriers before sharing.
Before you begin: Open a representative page/notebook.
Exactly how to do it
Open Review or the accessibility controls available in your current OneNote version.
Choose Check Accessibility.
Move through issues in the accessibility pane.
Read why each issue matters.
Correct missing alt text, vague page names, poor links, or other issues.
Recheck.
What should happen: The notebook has fewer accessibility barriers.
If that does not happen: If Accessibility Checker is unavailable in the current view/device, open the notebook in the full desktop or web OneNote version where Microsoft provides the checker.
Practice: Fix at least two practice issues.
Part 19 - Narrator with OneNote
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Start/stop Narrator | Windows+Ctrl+Enter |
| Narrator Input Learning | Narrator+1 |
| Next/previous item | Narrator+Right/Left Arrow |
| Primary action | Narrator+Enter |
19.1 Navigate OneNote with Narrator
What you will learn: Use OneNote focus shortcuts while Narrator announces context.
Before you begin: Narrator is on and OneNote is open.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+G and choose a notebook.
Press Ctrl+Shift+G and choose a section.
Press Ctrl+Alt+G and choose a page.
Press Tab into page content.
Use Narrator reading commands as needed.
Use Ctrl+Shift+T to return to the page title.
What should happen: Narrator follows the notebook hierarchy and page content.
If that does not happen: If Narrator begins moving through unrelated Ribbon controls, use the OneNote focus shortcuts to reestablish location.
Practice: Navigate notebook > section > page > content.
Part 20 - NVDA with OneNote
20.1 Navigate and Review with NVDA
What you will learn: Use standard OneNote focus while NVDA reports controls/text.
Before you begin: NVDA is running.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+G to choose a notebook.
Press Ctrl+Shift+G for sections.
Press Ctrl+Alt+G for pages.
Press NVDA+Tab when you want NVDA to repeat the focused control/item.
Press Tab into the content area and edit normally.
Use NVDA+F to inspect formatting when useful.
What should happen: NVDA follows OneNote focus and editing.
If that does not happen: If NVDA reports the Ribbon when you expect page text, return to pages/content with Ctrl+Alt+G and Tab.
Practice: Navigate and edit one practice page.
Part 21 - JAWS with OneNote
21.1 Navigate OneNote with JAWS
What you will learn: Use OneNote structure while JAWS provides speech/help.
Before you begin: JAWS is running.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+G for notebooks.
Press Ctrl+Shift+G for sections.
Press Ctrl+Alt+G for pages.
Press Insert+Tab to repeat the focused item when needed.
Press Tab into the page content.
Use Insert+H or Command Search when you need JAWS help.
What should happen: JAWS follows OneNote hierarchy and page content.
If that does not happen: If a JAWS command conflicts with OneNote, use JAWS help and OneNote's official shortcut list rather than guessing.
Practice: Navigate through two notebooks and several pages.
Part 22 - VoiceOver and OneNote for Mac
OneNote for Mac uses different shortcuts and VoiceOver interaction patterns. Microsoft documents VoiceOver-compatible navigation for the Mac app.
Use VoiceOver interaction commands to enter notebook, section, page, and content areas.
Microsoft documents Command+Control+G to move keyboard focus to the page list.
Microsoft documents Control+Shift+G to move keyboard focus to the section list.
Use Command+S to synchronize the current notebook and Command+Shift+S to synchronize all notebooks.
Use VoiceOver's VO+Tab pass-through when a OneNote shortcut conflicts with a VoiceOver command.
Practice: On Mac, identify notebook, section, page list, page title, and content using VoiceOver before relying on memorized Windows commands.
Part 23 - OneNote for the Web
OneNote for the web runs inside a browser. Microsoft recommends Microsoft Edge for the web version and notes that browser-based shortcuts differ from the desktop app.
Use Ctrl+F6 rather than desktop F6 to move among web application command regions.
Narrator is tested in Microsoft Edge; JAWS and NVDA are also tested in Chrome in Microsoft's accessibility documentation.
Browser shortcuts such as Ctrl+O and F1 apply to the browser rather than the OneNote desktop app.
Use the web version when you need access from a computer without the desktop OneNote app.
Expect some advanced features to be simplified compared with desktop OneNote.
Part 24 - Braille Displays
Braille output and input are provided through Narrator, NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver. OneNote exposes the notebook hierarchy, page text, tags, links, and controls to the screen reader.
24.1 Test Braille with OneNote
What you will learn: Verify output, input, and routing.
Before you begin: Configure the braille display in the active screen reader.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+G and read notebook names in braille.
Press Ctrl+Shift+G and read section names.
Press Ctrl+Alt+G and read page titles.
Open a page and Tab into its content.
Type a short note using braille input if supported.
Use a routing key inside the text if supported.
What should happen: Braille follows OneNote focus and page editing.
If that does not happen: If braille works in other apps but not OneNote, verify OneNote focus before changing braille settings.
Practice: Test notebook, section, page, text input, and routing.
Part 25 - iPhone/iPad and Android
25.1 iPhone/iPad with VoiceOver
Swipe right/left to move VoiceOver focus; double-tap to activate.
OneNote organizes notebooks into sections and pages; VoiceOver may announce page note containers as content blocks.
Use the Notebooks/Recent Notes areas to find content quickly.
Use the VoiceOver rotor for efficient text and control navigation.
Test sharing and deletion commands carefully because mobile menus can change with app updates.
25.2 Android with TalkBack
Swipe right/left to move TalkBack focus; double-tap to activate.
Use the notebook, section, and page lists to move through the hierarchy.
Use standard TalkBack text-editing gestures/keyboard commands in page content.
Microsoft recommends using the built-in TalkBack screen reader as one way to review notebook navigation order.
Part 26 - Security and Privacy
OneNote notebooks can contain highly sensitive information such as meeting notes, passwords copied by mistake, client/student information, or recordings.
Do not store passwords or authentication codes in ordinary notebook pages unless an approved secure process explicitly permits it.
Before sharing a notebook, inspect all sections—not only the page you intend the recipient to read.
Password-protected sections are not a substitute for organization-wide information-security policy.
Audio notes can record other people; follow consent and local/legal/workplace requirements.
Synced notebooks may exist on multiple devices and cloud services.
Delete or move sensitive content only when you understand how sync affects the cloud and collaborators.
Password-protected sections: Microsoft documents Ctrl+Alt+L to lock all password-protected sections. Remember that forgotten OneNote section passwords generally cannot simply be recovered by Microsoft.
Part 27 - Troubleshooting
27.1 You Are Typing in the Wrong Place
What you will learn: Return to the intended page content area.
Before you begin: OneNote is open.
Exactly how to do it
Press Escape to close menus/dialogs.
Press Ctrl+Alt+G and select the intended page.
Press Tab once to enter page content.
Type one test character.
Undo with Ctrl+Z.
What should happen: Typing occurs on the intended page.
If that does not happen: If focus remains on the title, press Tab again.
Practice: Practice recovering from the page list.
27.2 You Cannot Find a Page
What you will learn: Search rather than scanning every section.
Before you begin: Know one distinctive word or phrase.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+E.
Type the search term.
Review results.
Open the matching page.
If you only need the current page, use Ctrl+F instead.
What should happen: You locate the note through search.
If that does not happen: If results are stale, force sync and search again.
Practice: Find one page by text rather than page title.
27.3 Sync Is Stuck
What you will learn: Separate network/account problems from note-editing problems.
Before you begin: A cloud notebook is not updating.
Exactly how to do it
Press Shift+F9.
Listen for sync status/errors.
Verify internet access.
Verify the correct Microsoft account is signed in.
Check whether the notebook is stored in OneDrive/SharePoint and you still have permission.
Resolve any named sync conflict/error before creating duplicate notebooks.
What should happen: The cause becomes clearer or sync resumes.
If that does not happen: Avoid repeatedly copying the whole notebook as a troubleshooting step; this can create conflicting versions.
Practice: Force sync and inspect status.
27.4 A Page or Section Moved Unexpectedly
What you will learn: Use hierarchy shortcuts to reestablish location.
Before you begin: You feel lost after reorganizing.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+G and confirm the notebook.
Press Ctrl+Shift+G and review sections/section groups.
Press Ctrl+Alt+G and review pages.
Use Ctrl+E search if the item still cannot be found.
What should happen: You rebuild notebook context and find the item.
If that does not happen: If another collaborator moved content, check shared-notebook activity/version information where available.
Practice: Practice recovering after moving a practice page.
27.5 Content Blocks Read in a Confusing Order
What you will learn: Simplify free-form page layout.
Before you begin: A page has several scattered note containers.
Exactly how to do it
Use Ctrl+A three times and Tab/Shift+Tab to inspect content blocks.
Identify the intended reading sequence.
Move important text into one main vertical note container where practical.
Use headings/lists instead of visual spatial placement to express structure.
Run Accessibility Checker again.
What should happen: The page becomes more predictable for screen-reader reading.
If that does not happen: Free-form spatial layouts can be visually useful but harder for assistive technology; prioritize logical order on shared accessible pages.
Practice: Simplify one practice page.
Part 28 - Independent Practice Course
Level 1 - Orientation
☐ Open OneNote.
☐ Identify notebook.
☐ Identify section.
☐ Identify page.
☐ Enter page content.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 2 - Create Structure
☐ Create section.
☐ Create two pages.
☐ Rename a page.
☐ Move among pages.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 3 - Editing
☐ Type notes.
☐ Correct errors.
☐ Bold/italicize text.
☐ Undo/redo.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 4 - Lists and Tags
☐ Create bullet list.
☐ Create numbered list.
☐ Create two-level outline.
☐ Apply To Do and Important tags.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 5 - Tables and Links
☐ Create simple table.
☐ Insert descriptive link.
☐ Add image alt text.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 6 - Search
☐ Search current page.
☐ Search all notebooks.
☐ Open search result.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 7 - Organization
☐ Move page.
☐ Move section.
☐ Create section group.
☐ Move section into group.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 8 - Sharing and Sync
☐ Inspect Share.
☐ Force current-notebook sync.
☐ Force all-notebook sync.
☐ Explain notebook-level privacy risk.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 9 - Accessibility
☐ Use descriptive names.
☐ Simplify content blocks.
☐ Run Accessibility Checker.
☐ Fix two issues.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 10 - Screen Reader
☐ Navigate with Narrator/NVDA/JAWS.
☐ Use screen-reader help.
☐ Recover from wrong focus.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 11 - Braille
☐ Read notebook/section/page names.
☐ Type note.
☐ Use routing if supported.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 12 - Independent Notebook
☐ Create a Practice notebook structure with sections/pages.
☐ Add list/table/link/image/tag.
☐ Search it.
☐ Sync it.
☐ Inspect sharing and accessibility.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Part 29 - Quick Reference Commands
Navigation and Organization - Windows Desktop
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Notebook picker | Ctrl+G |
| Sections pane | Ctrl+Shift+G |
| Pages pane | Ctrl+Alt+G |
| New section | Ctrl+T |
| New page | Ctrl+N |
| Page title | Ctrl+Shift+T |
| Search all notebooks | Ctrl+E |
| Search current page | Ctrl+F |
| Move selected page/section up | Shift+Alt+Up |
| Move selected page/section down | Shift+Alt+Down |
| Sync all shared notebooks | F9 |
| Sync current shared notebook | Shift+F9 |
| Lock password-protected sections | Ctrl+Alt+L |
Formatting and Notes
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Bold / Italic / Underline | Ctrl+B / Ctrl+I / Ctrl+U |
| Bulleted list | Ctrl+Period |
| Numbered list | Ctrl+/ or Ctrl+Shift+O |
| Move paragraph up/down | Alt+Shift+Up / Alt+Shift+Down |
| Indent/outdent paragraph | Alt+Shift+Right / Alt+Shift+Left |
| To Do / Important / Question tags | Ctrl+1 / Ctrl+2 / Ctrl+3 |
| Remove note tags | Ctrl+0 |
| Start audio recording | Ctrl+Alt+A |
| Play selected audio | Ctrl+Alt+P |
| Stop audio playback | Ctrl+Alt+S |
Screen Reader Reminders
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Narrator Input Learning | Narrator+1 |
| NVDA Input Help | NVDA+1 |
| JAWS Keyboard Help | Insert+1 |
| VoiceOver Keyboard Help | VO+K |
Part 30 - Official Microsoft Resources
Screen reader support for OneNote
Explore and navigate OneNote with a screen reader
Basic tasks using a screen reader with OneNote
Organize notebooks, sections, and pages with a screen reader
Share and collaborate on notebooks with a screen reader
Make OneNote notebooks accessible
Accessibility tools for OneNote
Final Independence Checklist
☐ I understand notebook, section, section group, page, page title, and content block.
☐ I can switch notebooks, sections, and pages by keyboard.
☐ I can create and rename sections and pages.
☐ I can type, edit, format, undo, and redo notes.
☐ I can create lists, outlines, tags, and simple tables.
☐ I can insert descriptive links and alt text.
☐ I can search the current page and all notebooks.
☐ I understand OneNote audio-note controls and privacy.
☐ I can move, copy, rename, and delete practice pages/sections.
☐ I can create and use section groups.
☐ I can inspect notebook sharing and collaboration.
☐ I can force synchronization and understand offline behavior.
☐ I can run Accessibility Checker and improve note structure.
☐ I can use OneNote with Narrator, NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver.
☐ I can use OneNote for the web when needed.
☐ I can use a braille display with OneNote.
☐ I understand OneNote security/privacy risks.
☐ I can troubleshoot focus, search, sync, hierarchy, and content-block order.
Most important habit: When you get lost in OneNote, rebuild the hierarchy in order: Ctrl+G for notebook, Ctrl+Shift+G for section, Ctrl+Alt+G for page, then Tab into page content. That sequence solves many orientation problems without changing settings.