Microsoft OneNote

CNET Editors' note: You'll need to receive a trial key for Microsoft Office here to be able to try this program.

CNET Editors' review

This program organizes project information, but it takes time to master its many functions. The tabbed interface is intuitive with a mix of information panels and note-entry areas. Readability is good with full control of screen color and fonts. The program takes input in many forms such as documents, onscreen handwritten notes, and media files. Microsoft OneNote's outline and search functions collate and outline the project data. This program doesn't have a particular method of use; you are expected to build your project in a way that fits your method of organization. To help new users, Microsoft includes an introductory guide, which explains most functions. This program does require immediate registration to use and some functions are disabled until purchase. An irritation is that disabled functions can be selected, which forces users to cancel numerous registration dialog boxes. Though it is an 82MB download, this program is worth a look. Novice users and those with small projects would do well with a basic word processor, but anyone looking to take notes and collate research will find this a worthy program.

Publisher's Description

More Products to Consider

  • OpenOffice.org
    Take an open-source approach to office productivity.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Free PDF To Word Do...
    Convert Adobe PDF file to MS Word file format.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Microsoft Office Co...
    Open, edit, and save files using the new file formats in 2007 v...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Microsoft Office Wo...
    Create and share content with the help of a comprehensive set o...

    This download is served from an external site

    close

    NOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.

    Continue to download

    Sponsored Products

    Visit Site
  • Evernote
    Create, manage, and save documents that you can access anywhere...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Adobe Reader XI
    View, navigate, and print PDF files.

    This download is served from an external site

    close

    NOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.

    Continue to download

    Sponsored Products

    Visit Site
  • Microsoft Office Vi...
    Develop your own custom solutions visualizing various data.

    This download is served from an external site

    close

    NOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.

    Continue to download

    Sponsored Products

    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • eBeam Capture
    Turn any surface into an interactive whiteboard.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Free PDF to Word
    Convert PDF files to Microsoft Word format.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • WhizFolders Organiz...
    Begin your writing projects with this outliner.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • WorkTime
    Keep track of how you use your PC.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Foliaro
    Clip anything on the web and organize information.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • FreeOCR
    Recognize text from images using the open source Tesseract OCR ...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Kingsoft Office 201...
    Create, view, edit and share word, spreadsheet and presentation...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • ConceptDraw Mindmap
    Organize brainstorming sessions, take notes, plan your work, an...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • TinyPad
    Save your notes automatically as you type and share them online...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Notalon
    Take notes on books and lectures.

    This download is served from an external site

    close

    NOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.

    Continue to download

    Sponsored Products

    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Microsoft Office Po...
    Create, manage, and collaborate with others on presentations.

    This download is served from an external site

    close

    NOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.

    Continue to download

    Sponsored Products

    Visit Site
  • PDFCreator
    Render PDF files within applications that support the print fun...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • ThoughtStack
    Organize your thoughts, organize your mind.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Office Convert PDF ...
    Convert your PDF files into various image formats.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • MyShelf Desktop Por...
    Install virtual shelf for notes, pictures, links, text snippets...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • CreativeNotes Deskt...
    CreativeNotes helps you organize your thoughts and ideas, makin...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • PDF ReDirect
    Create, encrypt, and merge PDF files.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    4.0 stars

    out of 309 votes

    • 5 star: 176
    • 4 star: 47
    • 3 star: 37
    • 2 star: 7
    • 1 star: 42
  • Current version:

    4.0 stars

    out of 167 votes

    • 5 star: 88
    • 4 star: 34
    • 3 star: 24
    • 2 star: 6
    • 1 star: 15
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-10 of 110

  • 4.0 stars

    "Awesome Program"

    April 6, 2011  |   By kiwichef07

    Version: Microsoft OneNote 2003

    Pros

    I like the fact that I can store and recall info in once place when and where I want.`

    Cons

    The curve ball in trying to set up a connection between OneNote on my SkyDrive and OneNote on my WIndows Phone 7. There are some hoops to jump through, but once you work it out, awesome.

    Summary

    I am using the trial version now, and have to save up for the Stand alone version of OneNote, here in NZ the exchange rate makes buying software a Thing you have to budget for ;), but Buy it I will, I really like this program and it intergrates with my Office 2007 seamlessly. Awesome.
    Cheers,
    Bill

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (1) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "I recommend to any college student!"

    October 1, 2010  |   By Da Bob

    Version: Microsoft OneNote 2003

    Pros

    Very easy to organize. It even helps me organize things I forget to organize or set up!

    Cons

    When you tag a box it will tag both the 'header' and whatever else is in the box separately. This is inconvenient because when you search in your tags it separates the word from the definition.

    Summary

    You can start typing anywhere on the page, just as you would while taking notes with paper and pen.
    Symbols are easy to get, and tables quick to make.
    You have an unlimited paper size, meaning you can always write more to the left, right, down, up or even create a space where you didn't leave any; easy.
    You can tag items as ToDo, Contact, Website to visit, Definition, Important, etc. Even create your own!
    With these tags you can search within any of your notebooks, subjects, groups, or pages! When I go to study for a test I simply select my chemistry section, for example, and click search tags to find all of my definitions.
    Lastly, it connects to outlook, word, and all other of your Microsoft Office (2010 at least) programs. You can even "print" to it from ANYWHERE you print!
    It's amazing. Get it. Now. It's worth the price of the 2010 microsoft sweet alone!

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (1) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "exceptional for distance,on-line learnig"

    August 21, 2010  |   By lberry2450

    Version: Microsoft OneNote 2003

    Pros

    easy to use, set it up the way that works for me, can have more than one notebook

    Cons

    so far like everything about it.

    Summary

    Very easy to go between, power pointe presentations, make and take notes while listening to audio tapes, and or watching videos, can record directly from one note sure makes it easy. Can also share thru sky drive with other class members, notes ect. every student shoulkd have this program..

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 4.0 stars

    "Without a trial key, this is useless"

    May 20, 2010  |   By chatombreux

    Version: Microsoft OneNote 2003

    Pros

    Great for people like me who have no printer. I can use THIS as my printer and then email the item to Kinko's to be printed there.

    Cons

    Trial key not provided, so software is useless.

    Summary

    It was nice of you to advise at the very bottom of the article that a trial key would be required. It was even nicer that you failed to provide information on how to obtain one. You failed miserably on this one!!

    Updated on May 20, 2010

    So - just how do you uninstall this useless thing? Control panel doesn't see it and it won't allow me to delete it.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (1)

  • 1.0 stars

    "Unable to use product"

    April 8, 2009  |   By MESCH25

    Version: Microsoft OneNote 2003

    Pros

    Unfortunately can't say anything at this time

    Cons

    Download page stated that is a Trial period download but no product key was provided. Unable to install therefore haven't been able to try the product.

    Summary

    If anyone has the product key or any other information other than the one found in the website, please reply to this review. Thanks.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "great tool"

    December 21, 2008  |   By vkjim23

    Version: Microsoft OneNote 2003

    Pros

    great tool

    Cons

    great tool

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "great.............."

    December 10, 2008  |   By vinsana1

    Version: Microsoft OneNote 2003

    Pros

    great.............

    Cons

    great.......

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "easy to use"

    March 20, 2008  |   By kvl1314

    Version: Microsoft OneNote 2003

    Pros

    is so good

    Cons

    i like noting dont like about microdoft

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 4.0 stars

    "My second brain!! This program makes my life so much easier!"

    March 7, 2008  |   By druyan byrne

    Version: Microsoft OneNote 2003

    Pros

    This program is so easy to use, and the interface is well organized. I'm surprised that more people have not discovered it!

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (1) (0)

  • 3.0 stars

    "It's good but I have no code."

    July 13, 2007  |   By hanlichunxh

    Version: Microsoft OneNote 2003

    Pros

    I have no idea.

    Cons

    I have no idea.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (1)

Results 1-10 of 110

Add Your Review

or Log in or create an account to post a review.
You are logged in as . Please submit your review for Microsoft OneNote 2003
Add Your Review

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit your reply

Submit

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

cancel

E-mail this review

Submit cancel

Report offensive content

If you believe this comment is offensive or violates the CNET's Site Terms of Use, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the comment). Once reported, our staff will be notified and the comment will be reviewed.

Select type of offense:

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language
Spam: Advertisements or commercial links
Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users
Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content
Submit cancel

See more CNET content tagged:

Error

close

ERROR MESSAGE

If you think this is an error, please contact CNET TechTracker Support for further assistance.

Ok

Running Request

close

loading

Smart Install Software

close

CNET TechTracker will now automatically install software without requiring further action by you. (Note: This feature automatically accepts associated EULAs and third party applications on your behalf.)

You have selected the following software to Smart Install:

CNET TechTracker will attempt to install this software without interrupting you again. If an application requires manual installation, CNET TechTracker will download the installer and prompt you to take further action.

Proceed with Smart Install?

Confirm Standard Install Cancel

Submit a problem report for Microsoft OneNote

close

Please describe the problem you have with this software. This information will be sent to our editors for review.

Problem:

The CNET Installer isn't working as expected

The download link does not work

The software has a newer version

The software contains malware

Other

Description:

Please select a feedback type.

Please enter a description.

Submit Problem Report

Problem Report submitted

close

Thank you for submitting a problem report! The Download team is committed to providing you with accurate software information.

OK

Installed

Smart Install
Microsoft OneNote