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

Anonymous

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!!!!

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Anonymous

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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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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

Anonymous

2017-12-08T19:45:19+00:00

What I don't understand is why on earth you won't let the users who prefer the old layout, use that instead?! I understand that you continuously update the software it to make it better, but why do you refuse to let your users decide for themselves what to use?! It's completely idiotic!

I switch between the different folders on the different levels every time, and this update is utterly useless for me. I either have to hide and show the folders every god damn time I switch between my notes and lectures, or I have to show everything at all times and lose 20% of my screen because of the bloody navigationbars. And it infuriates me that theres nothing I can do about it because you geniuses apparently knows whats better for me. What do you have to lose if you let people choose what option they prefer? Happy costumers?

Erik ~ Agreed. But perhaps MS was uncomfortable having, for the first time, a good reputation amongst Mac users. The old layout had received much praise for its elegant and intuitive interface. Now MS has almost 1,000 votes and 700 comments against the current interface — see here:

Leaving (or option to leave) the section tabs at the top

Meanwhile, you could try downloading the last beautiful version (15.33) of OneNote for Mac:

Update history for Office 2016 for Mac

...scroll down to "Release history for Office 2016 for Mac" and look for "April 11, 2017 15.33.0". (I haven't had to do that myself as I stayed on v.15.33)

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Anonymous

2017-12-08T18:54:06+00:00

What I don't understand is why on earth you won't let the users who prefer the old layout, use that instead?! I understand that you continuously update the software it to make it better, but why do you refuse to let your users decide for themselves what to use?! It's completely idiotic!

I switch between the different folders on the different levels every time, and this update is utterly useless for me. I either have to hide and show the folders every god damn time I switch between my notes and lectures, or I have to show everything at all times and lose 20% of my screen because of the bloody navigationbars. And it infuriates me that theres nothing I can do about it because you geniuses apparently knows whats better for me. What do you have to lose if you let people choose what option they prefer? Happy costumers?
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Anonymous

2017-11-20T12:59:25+00:00

Thank you for the most awful update. Cant work with onenote on my MB 11' - 1/3 of my screen holder by navigation panel. Yes I can hide it, but then I have to click million times before I switch to other section/page.

Why you can't add option to chose between old nice interface and new ugly? Many users don't have 20+ inch screens.
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