Microsoft’s OneNote is an organizational tool that works like a digital notebook. This note-taking app provides a digital location for all your notes, lists, research, and more. Endless collections of thoughts and ideas can be saved and shared without needing a piece of paper. One way to make OneNote even more useful is with templates to help you organize your notes.
Here’s everything you need to know about OneNote templates.
What is a OneNote template?
Templates help structure your notes and can turn them into calendars, letters, resumes, etc. They help you organize things so you can think about the content of your notes and let someone else worry about the layout. Templates can be used as they come or customized to meet your exact needs. There are also tools to create your own template from scratch.
Where to find OneNote templates
auscomp

auscomp is a great source for OneNote templates. Pre-built templates include free and “PRO” options that can be purchased. If you plan to use many different templates, Auscomp offers a lifetime access pass which is a one-time fee to access all of their templates. Some interesting options on this site are project management tools and productivity maximizers to really expand the capabilities of the tool.
Notagram

Notagram It is easy to use because it is designed for Microsoft OneNote. All you need to do is sign in to Microsoft and you can save many templates for free. If you’re looking for an easy way to test a template, this is it.
OneNote Gem

OneNote Gem offers some templates and plugins specialized in calendars and lists. This site doesn’t have as many options, but those options are useful.
Etsy

Surprisingly, Etsy has an extensive collection of handcrafted OneNote templates. The calendar and agenda options rival the most sophisticated paper planners. Etsy has creative resource options for teachers as well as professional meeting planners. If you’re willing to spend a little money on the perfect template, Etsy is the place to look.
onetastic

You may find yourself onetastic in lists for OneNote templates. Onetastic is not for templates per se, but rather for using macros to enhance OneNote functionality. Macros are blocks of code that run as a program to perform specific tasks. Planners and calendars can be created with these macros, so Onetastic can be useful for OneNote users.
Types of OneNote Templates
The template possibilities are endless. Below is a list of OneNote template ideas:
- Journal – Keep your thoughts and feelings safe on your digital device using a journal template.
- Calendar: As more people enter the digital world, paper calendars become cumbersome. A calendar template turns OneNote into a portable calendar to keep track of events in your life and never miss a date.
- Checklist: Make a list to plan a trip? Or a shopping list before going to the store? Maybe you’re thinking of ideas for your next book. A checklist template is the perfect way to keep track of any list of information.
- Planner: If you need to keep all the details of your life in one place and want to save a few trees and avoid paper and ink, turn your OneNote into a digital planner. It’s easy to coordinate every area of your life when everything is in one place.
- Budget: Another great use of your digital notebook is to keep track of your budget or finances. A budget template makes it easy to plan, track, and stick to your budget.
Install a OneNote template
To install a template on your device, follow these simple instructions:
- Open file explorer, select “File” and then “Open.”

- Select “Open from other locations” and explore.

- Browse until you have found the location of your template file.

Creating a custom template is quick and easy. Follow these instructions to author your own template:
- Select “Add Page” to create a blank space to design your template.

- Click the “View” tab and then click the “Paper Size” option.

- Set the paper size you want, also paying attention to the print margins.

- Use the tools and options provided to add any content and design elements you want to your template. You can add as many pages as you want.

- When you’ve designed a template that’s perfect for you, find the “Paper Size” tab and choose “Save Current Page as Template.”

- Give your template a unique name and now you can use it whenever you want.

Delete a OneNote template
Sometimes you may decide that you no longer need one of your OneNote templates. Deleting a template is not intuitive. This is how you do it:
- Click the “Insert” tab and choose “Page Templates.”

- Choose the “My Templates” option.

- Right click on the template you no longer need and select the “Delete” option.

- Please note that if this template is the “default template” option for your program, you will not be able to delete it until you choose a different default template.
Embrace the power of OneNote
OneNote is a powerful tool that can be even more powerful with custom templates. Now you can carry your agenda, meeting organizer, calendar and more right on your mobile device. Instead of trying to organize text on a boring notes page, use a OneNote Template to breathe life into your notes and turn them into transformative tools.
What types of tasks do you perform using OneNote templates? And what type of templates do you prefer to make your life more efficient? Let us know in the comments below.