In OneNote the Search bar has moved, How do I put it back to where it was?

Anonymous
2025-05-22T20:51:54+00:00

Version 2504 Build 16.0.18730.20122 on Windows 11.

I have been using OneNote for years, all of a sudden when I opened it up today, the Search bar has moved from its correct place on top of the pages list on the side, to now being in the upper right corner of the actual notes main page.

When I type in a search, the list of pages where the search term shows up now covers up half of the notes field, meaning you can't read half of the page to see if the search result is actually what you are looking for or not, making the entire search function pretty much useless.

How can I move the search box, and more importantly, the list of pages that contain the search result, so that it no longer covers up the actual notes page that I need to read?

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneNote | Other | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-06-26T18:20:34+00:00

    NO "Search" Group in View Tab on Windows 11!! MICROSOFT READ THE COMMENTS/POSTS!

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-06-26T16:40:48+00:00

    Im on a windows 11 device... and if you had read the thread.. you will note that there are other windows 11 users out there that - same as me, dont have the "Search Group" under the view tab. While we appreciate the moderator taking notice of this issue - the solution is in fact not one for the bulk of posters on this thread- EVEN those with windows 11. so @Fordy B. what is the work around that will show the "SEARCH GROUP" that you are referring to? I have checked settings, options, Nada. PLEASE regress this HORRID update. Microsoft would do well with user group testing before rolling out features that "HELP" but in fact are large productivity issues.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-06-26T16:15:59+00:00

    Hello,

    Welcome to the Microsoft Community Forum. Please accept our warmest regards and sincerest hope that all is well despite the situation you find yourself in.

    To move the Search bar back to its original position in OneNote, you can try the following steps:

    1. Open OneNote on your Windows 11 device.
    2. Click on the "View" tab in the top menu bar.
    3. Look for the "Search" group.
    4. Click on the "Search" dropdown menu.
    5. Select "Dock to left" or "Dock to right" to move the Search bar back to its original position on the side of the pages list.

    If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to check for any updates for OneNote or Windows 11 that could potentially address this problem.

    Hope this helps.

    Best Regards,

    Fordy B.

    Microsoft Community Moderator

    There is no Search group in View. I can't see my note unless I make my OneNote much larger, which means I can't see other windows I need.

    If I try to put the Page tab in to get to a Search group, it shows as checked in the customized ribbon window, but it doesn't show on the OneNote ribbon itself.

    Please provide a viable option to move the Search back. I can see from other commentors that your solution above does not exist for them either.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-06-25T13:58:45+00:00

    If you press CTRL+E when in any page in One Note the search box appears in the top right corner of the page. You can search all notebooks from there and it will jump to the page which finds the text match from there! Just click anywhere in the page to collapse the search results. Simple!

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-06-24T21:06:30+00:00

    PUT THE SEARCH BAR BACK WHERE IT WAS PLEASE!!!

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