How to Use OneNote 2007 as a Research Tool
Research often requires compiling various types of information into a central location, to allow cross-referencing and hyperlinking between different research items. OneNote 2007 provides an effective tool for researching, in that it can accept information directly or by receiving material from other applications. Here's how to use it.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Microsoft OneNote 2007
- Tablet PC for handwritten notes
- Graphics tablet for handwritten notes without a Tablet PC
-
-
1
Examine the OneNote 2007 structure. OneNote 2007 uses a hierarchical structure to maintain information, with notebooks holding all information, sections holding the actual pages of information, and section groups maintaining segregation between sections pertaining to different topics.
-
2
Create a OneNote 2007 notebook. Create a new notebook by selecting "File," then "New," then "Notebook," and selecting from the available Templates. Give the notebook a name, and select "Next." To use the notebook on a single computer, select "I will use it on this computer," and click "Next." Provide a file location, and click "Create." To use the notebook on multiple computers, select "I will use it on multiple computers" and select "Next."
-
3
Setup a logical structure. Identify what types of information you will be saving as part of your research project, and organize them into logical groups. For research items on specific topics or of a specific kind, create section groups. Then, further refine each group by creating relevant sections.
-
4
Enter notes. Each section includes an untitled page. To create new pages, simply click on the "New Page" icon above the page listing. Type a page name into the title section highlighted at the top of each page. For typewritten notes, place your cursor on the page where you want to begin taking notes, and begin typing. OneNote 2007 places your text into a "note container," which is useful for managing your notes. On a Tablet PC or in Windows Vista with a graphics tablet, locate your pointer on the page and begin writing. As with typewritten notes, OneNote 2007 places your handwritten "ink" into a note container
-
5
Outline your notes. OneNote 2007 can automatically create outlines using either numbered or bulleted lists. Indent major items to the left and minor items to the right. Select the notes, and then click the Bullets or Numbers icon for the required outline type. OneNote 2007 applies the correct outline format to the notes, whether typewritten or inked. Assert your own outline by typing or inking the appropriate number for each level of the outline. OneNote 2007 applies an appropriate outline as you enter notes.
-
6
Transfer information from other applications. A number of ways exist for bringing information into OneNote 2007 from other applications. To send a Web page to OneNote 2007 from Internet Explorer, select "Tools" then "Send to OneNote." To place a screen clipping onto a page, right-click on the OneNote 2007 Side Note icon in the system tray and select "Create Screen Clipping." Drag a box around the area of the screen that you wish to capture by clicking and holding the left mouse button, and then release when finished.
-
7
Organize your research information. Sections, pages, and specific information can be easily moved from one location to another as necessary by simply dragging and dropping. To select notes for moving, hover over text or ink until the notes container appears. When the four-way cursor appears, click on the top of the notes container and drag to the desired location. To move to another page, right-click and select "Cut," navigate to the desired page, right-click in the desired location and select "Paste."
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You can hyperlink both within OneNote 2007 and to external files. For external files, select "Insert," then "Hyperlink," and then select a file and give it a name. For internal information, select notes, right-click and select "Copy Hyperlink to this paragraph," then paste the hyperlink where desired.
