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.

0 comments

114 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2025-07-14T12:16:59+00:00

    Yes, I hate the new search bar location. It covers up the title of my pages, part of which I must copy and paste somewhere else. This is not a failure of one person, but a failure of countless people who sat by quietly while a committee decided that it was an improvement to relocate a function interface so that it obstructs the content upon which the user is working.

    I merely want to add my voice to the many others who justifiably are frustrated and bewildered by this change. It is not an overreaction. My business is not computers. Errors such as these add up in interruption, distraction, and wasted time. This particular issue has been going on for quite some time now, and the tech support staff at Microsoft seem to be clueless about it.

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2025-06-04T12:29:54+00:00

    Please fix this Microsoft !!!

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2025-06-02T20:20:27+00:00

    Moreover, it was designed for "new" tabs/pages placement style (all on the left), and slimmer ribbon. All of that can be rolled back in options window, and same should be with "new" search bar placement.

    Unless Microsoft is about to nuke older style of tabs and pages placement, i.e. forcing everyone to "new" style, in which "new" search bar placement makes sense...

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2025-06-02T13:01:44+00:00

    Wow. I really love the gaslighting in the title that they gave to that post you linked: "More room for your Notes in OneNote". RIght.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2025-05-23T13:06:02+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

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments