How Will These Powerful New OneNote Updates Improve Your Workflow?
Microsoft OneNote now supports merging table cells. Before, building tables in OneNote had a big problem. You could not merge two or more cells together. This made it hard to organize information or create clear headers. Many people found this very limiting.
With the update, you can now:
- Select cells next to each other, either across or down.
- Right-click, choose “Merge Cells,” or do it from the Table tab.
- See both the combined content and a bigger cell space.
- Use merged cells easily for titles, groups, or notes.
This works well for users on Windows, Mac, or iPad with the latest Insider version. People on iPhone, Android, or web can only see merged cells for now. Editing or making merged cells will come to them later.
Why does merging matter?
- Makes tables look neater.
- Easier to group related notes.
- Headings and labels can go across several columns.
- Reduces clutter, helping you focus on your work.
Another improvement is the “Paste Text Only” shortcut:
- On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + V.
- On Mac, press Cmd + Shift + V.
This shortcut lets you paste any copied text into OneNote and removes all past styles, colors, fonts, and links. Only clean text appears in your notes:
- No more weird formatting from websites or emails.
- Everything matches the look of your notebook.
- You save time. No extra steps to fix messy pasted content.
How do you use it?
- Use the keyboard shortcut.
- Or, right-click and pick “Paste Text Only.”
- Or, go to Home > Paste > Paste Options > Keep Text Only.
These two features make working in OneNote simpler and more organized:
- Tables now work like in Excel or Word.
- You can paste clean, plain text fast.
- Your notebooks can look neat and easy to read.
Benefits for you:
- Spend less time fixing tables.
- Avoid messy, mismatched notes.
- Feel less stress when copying information from other places.
Important notes:
- Both features are currently in testing for Insiders.
- Full release will come to everyone once ready.
- Latest version (16.100.715.0 or later) required for the new features.
Quick steps for each feature
To merge table cells:
- Click and drag to select cells.
- Right-click for the menu or use the Table tab.
- Choose “Merge Cells.”
To paste text only:
- Copy your text.
- Put your cursor where you want to paste.
- Use the shortcut or menu to paste as plain text.
These improvements help users make their notes cleaner, easier to use, and less stressful. OneNote feels more modern and user-friendly, which helps you stay productive.