In OneNote on Windows, change the view from the View tab: choose Normal View to see notebooks, sections and pages, or Full Page View (F11) to hide them and focus on the page. The same tab has Immersive Reader, page colour, rule lines and zoom. Note that the separate OneNote for Windows 10 app reached end of support on October 14, 2025 and is now read-only, so move to the current OneNote app for Windows to keep editing.
Quick Answer
View tab > Normal View or Full Page View (F11). Adjust Zoom, Page Color and Rule Lines on the same tab.
Steps to Change the View
- Open OneNote and a notebook page.
- Click the View tab.
- Choose Normal View to show navigation, or Full Page View to hide it.
- Use Zoom to make content larger or smaller, or press Ctrl and scroll.
- Try Immersive Reader for distraction-free reading with read-aloud.
View Options
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Normal View | Shows notebooks, sections and pages |
| Full Page View (F11) | Hides navigation for more space |
| Navigation panes | Show or collapse the notebook and page lists |
| Immersive Reader | Larger text, spacing and read aloud |
| Page Color / Rule Lines | Change the page background |
| Dark mode | File > Options > General, or Windows theme |
If You Still Use OneNote for Windows 10
Since it became read-only, open your notebooks in the current OneNote app for Windows (free from the Microsoft Store or with Microsoft 365). Your notebooks sync from OneDrive, so they appear in the new app when you sign in.
Troubleshooting
- Page list disappeared: You’re in Full Page View. Press F11 or choose Normal View.
- Can’t edit notes: You’re probably in OneNote for Windows 10. Switch to the current app, or remove the old one; see uninstalling OneNote for Windows 10.
- Reusable page layouts: See creating a OneNote template.
Related: Export OneNote to Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Full Page View the default?
OneNote remembers your last view on many versions. Press F11 when you open it otherwise.
How do I zoom quickly?
Hold Ctrl and scroll, or use the zoom controls on the View tab.
Will my notes be lost when the old app stops working?
Notes stored in OneDrive remain in your account and open in the current OneNote app.
Summary
- Open the View tab.
- Pick Normal View or Full Page View.
- Adjust zoom, colours and rule lines.
- Move off OneNote for Windows 10 to keep editing.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.