MSOffice OneNote for Mac: change checkbox back to a box

Question

MSOffice OneNote for Mac: change checkbox back to a box

Bill Lake 5

The checkbox in OneNote was visually changed in an update to a round dot (radio button). I hate this.

I want a checkbox to look like a checkbox: it looks like a box waiting to be checked to show completion. The radio button looks like a fancy bullet when open or closed and gets lost on the page. Plus, for some people, checking items off and seeing them checked off, provides a comfort in their progress on tasks. I got used to this as this is the same method I use on paper- I don't make open circles and then color them as that is slow and easily confused with other symbols, like zeros, capital O, bullets, open bullets, etc. I think it was rude, inconsiderate and thoughtless to change this iconic symbol. It's one of the best features of one note and you ruined it. Please: either make it a style option or change it back.

I feel that this was changed with a self-serving purpose, not a usability purpose. A checkbox is a fundamental symbol in lists that need to show completion. Please put it back.

In OneNote Version 16.110 (26050319) ; 365 LICENSE subscription

on Mac Tahoe (26.3.1 (a) (25D771280a))

Ricky Theil 10 Reputation points

2026-05-08T16:16:07.2033333+00:00

This is one of the dumbest changes to anything ever. It looks so stupid that a checkbox isn't even a box, and resembles a radio button.
Hendry Abigail USRS 0 Reputation points

2026-08-13T16:52:26.9066667+00:00

The round radio button being dark purple when complete also changes the visual weight of a list to focus only on what is already done and make the page distracting & cluttered. I have questions about the accessibility aspect of this - it creates visual distraction in something designed to be simple.

I found a workaround by mapping my Ctrl + 1 to a different checkbox, but these sorts of updates distract from getting real work done.

I didn't have time booked today to figure out how to interact with my to-do list. One Note is one of the few platforms that hasn't been totally enshittified - please don't.
Ray 0 Reputation points

2026-08-22T15:37:59.0033333+00:00

So disappointing of the developers to be so incredibly insensitive that they would change a default like this. Let us set our own for goodness sake!!!!

2 answers

Your answer

Ricky Theil 10 Reputation points

2026-05-08T16:16:07.2033333+00:00

This is one of the dumbest changes to anything ever. It looks so stupid that a checkbox isn't even a box, and resembles a radio button.
Hendry Abigail USRS 0 Reputation points

2026-08-13T16:52:26.9066667+00:00

The round radio button being dark purple when complete also changes the visual weight of a list to focus only on what is already done and make the page distracting & cluttered. I have questions about the accessibility aspect of this - it creates visual distraction in something designed to be simple.

I found a workaround by mapping my Ctrl + 1 to a different checkbox, but these sorts of updates distract from getting real work done.

I didn't have time booked today to figure out how to interact with my to-do list. One Note is one of the few platforms that hasn't been totally enshittified - please don't.
Ray 0 Reputation points

2026-08-22T15:37:59.0033333+00:00

So disappointing of the developers to be so incredibly insensitive that they would change a default like this. Let us set our own for goodness sake!!!!

Answer 1

Hi Bill,

The round checkbox is part of the latest OneNote for Mac update.

However, you can try the workaround to download and install the 16.105 version of OneNote by custom install, which means, you will download the whole package of 16.105 but you need to custom install only OneNote. Take note that once its installed, it will ask for an update, just ignore the update as it will defeat the purpose of installing specific version. Here’s the link: https://officecdn.microsoft.com/pr/C1297A47-86C4-4C1F-97FA-950631F94777/MacAutoupdate/Microsoft_365_and_Office_16.105.26011018_Installer.pkg

If incase the the update also applies to the lower version, then the best option to proceed here is to send a feedback regarding this update.

Answer 2

There is no supported way in the provided documentation to change the OneNote for Mac to‑do checkbox back from the new round style to the old square box style, nor to choose between different checkbox styles. The current behavior is determined by the app’s design and cannot be customized via settings.

The only available, documented option is to continue using the built‑in to‑do tag (checkbox) as provided in the current version, created via the “To do” button when inserting to‑do tags.

For changes to the design or to request an option to restore the previous checkbox appearance, feedback must be submitted directly to Microsoft from within OneNote or via the standard feedback channels for Microsoft 365 apps.

References:

Use a screen reader to insert content to notebooks in OneNote