Onenote for Mac - Change layout back to old style - Tab bar missing!!!

Anonymous
2017-01-15T21:00:23+00:00

SURPRISE! The layout of my one note has changed from just having tabs across the top

to taking up 1/3 of my screen showing some navigation pane. 

THIS IS SUCH A WASTE OF SPACE! Everything is so small now on my screen I can't read my notes!!! I am so frustrated after looking and looking though every menu and preference on the entire software, I can't tell how to switch it back. I must have done it some how because on another account it looks like it the old style. Please SOMEONE HELP!!!!

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneNote | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2017-07-02T21:40:16+00:00

YOU WILL THANK ME FOR SAVING YOUR LIFE :)

THE FOLLOWING WORKS 100% TO BRING BACK THE VERSION WITH TABS AT TOP.

READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Click the link below 

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Release-notes-for-Office-2016-for-Mac-ed2da564-6d53-4542-9954-7e3209681a41?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US

Please choose 15.33.0 version. Download this. 

Now don't install just yet. You need to remove the existing OneNote. 

Firstly make sure you sync all your data on onenote across

You have to uninstall the current Onenote completely, otherwise, even if you re-install the 15.33.0, the layout will not go back.

Follow the link below for uninstall instructions.

https://support.office.com/en-gb/article/Remove-OneNote-from-the-Mac-b17944fc-2702-467e-8fec-0b3736054216

Make sure trash is empty

Restart your MAC

Install the Onenote you have downloaded. 

Once installed, open the app and sign in as normal. 

Viola your perfect version of OneNote awaits you. 

Sync your data. 

Finally click help, then click check for updates, and make sure manually check option is highlighted.

NEVER UPDATE AGAIN.

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Anonymous
2017-01-17T16:42:19+00:00

First, we'd like to thank you for using OneNote!    As you’ve noticed, we have made some recent design updates and we’ve done this for a couple of reasons.               

We've refined the experience in OneNote based on feedback from existing customers who have asked for a more consistent navigation model for organizing their notebooks, sections, and pages across devices.  In addition, these changes represent our aim to create products with “Inclusive Design” in mind, enabling customers who rely on accessibility tools, such as a Screen Reader, to access their notes all from one place.

We encourage you to try the new navigation and let us know  what you like, what you don't like, and where we might improve. Your willingness to give us early feedback is much appreciated and can help shape the future of OneNote for millions of other customers.  Please reply to this thread with your thoughts as we do read these. 

Denise, OneNote Team

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133 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-11-14T13:21:50+00:00

    "We are listening and we value your feedback – thank you. The design team is working on further revisions and we will be sharing more on this soon. Denise, OneNote Team"

    Denise ~ Well, you have a lot of feedback to value, as this UserVoice thread favoring section tabs at the top is currently up to 1,294 votes and 901 comments!

    And I don't know how the OneNote Team defines "soon", but it's been exactly three months since you wrote of sharing more on "further revisions" — don't be shy!

    õ¿õ¬

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-10-23T09:25:07+00:00

    I absolutely hate the new design. The whole point of the tabs was to increase the available screen space.

    The MAC version of OneNote is already a very weak and sickly version of the Windows desktop version (which I unfortunately have to use at Work). Some of the core functionality which has sustained me as a One Note user for 15 years is not available - Automatic saving of emails, to-do tags not being searchable etc and others not working as originally designed - copy link to page not displaying all the characters, Links to Documents not automatically book marking to the paragraph.. etc

    Although I recognise the Mac version of One Note is a different beast from the PC version.. the very sad fact is the product management on OneNote since the release of OneNote 2013 has been shocking. A total lack of understanding from Microsoft's side about how OneNote is used effectively in business/research etc, and what makes it a differentiator in the market (and lets be clear EverNote is so basic compared with OneNote 2013). 

    So to the straw-that-broke-the-camels-back...

    I can't believe you are now forcing people to change the UI. I have been using oneNote since the 00's and the idea of having to use the, frankly terrible, Windows 10 interface will mean I am likely to stop using One Note.  

    "We've refined the experience in OneNote based on feedback from existing customers who have asked for a more consistent navigation model for organising their notebooks, sections, and pages across devices."

    ... I do not believe this! If you are a laptop or Desktop user, you would not choose to lose enhanced functionality for the occasional times where you need to access a document or a note from your mobile phone! I have no idea who your "existing Customers" were but they are not representative of powerusers. your customers are not a homogenous group, there are multiple persona's each with a different need from the product. This is basic Customer eXperience 101.

    I used to be a massive advocate, but I am refusing to upgrade to a hobbled, gealded version of OneNote. To add insult to injury I am constantly pestered by my PC about upgrading!

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-10-02T18:22:03+00:00

    Denise, You and your team have now seen almost two years worth of loyal users telling you that removing the tab system was a BAD idea. There is absolutely no reason you cannot provide the option of keeping them. Your stock reply is not helpful. I have tried it and it does not suit my needs and the way I have been using the program for years.

    Please fix this ASAP!

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