Microsoft OneNote is a versatile digital notebook that helps you organize notes, research, and plans. Now, with the integration of Copilot, OneNote’s capabilities have expanded significantly. This AI-powered assistant can help you create content, summarize notes, generate ideas, and much more. Let’s explore how to enable and use Copilot in OneNote to revolutionize your note-taking experience.
Enabling Copilot in OneNote
As of March 2025, Copilot isn’t available to all OneNote users by default. However, you can enable it by making a simple change in the Windows Registry. Before proceeding, it’s crucial to back up your registry to prevent any potential issues.
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows + R, typing regedit, and pressing Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to the following path in the Registry Editor:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\ExperimentConfigs\ExternalFeatureOverrides\onenote
Step 3: Right-click on the OneNote key, select New, and then choose String Value.
Step 4: Name the new string value Microsoft.Office.OneNote.Copilot and press Enter.
Step 5: Double-click the newly created string value and set its value data to true.
Step 6: Click OK to save the changes and restart your computer.
After your computer restarts, launch OneNote, and you should see the Copilot icon in the ribbon interface.
Using Copilot in OneNote
Once Copilot is enabled, you can start leveraging its capabilities to enhance your note-taking experience. Here are some key features and how to use them:
Summarizing Notes
Step 1: Select the text you want to summarize in your OneNote page.
Step 2: Click the Copilot button in the ribbon or use the keyboard shortcut Alt + H + FX to open the Copilot pane.
Step 3: In the Copilot pane, type a prompt like “Summarize the selected text” and press Enter.
Step 4: Copilot will generate a concise summary of your selected notes, which you can then copy and paste into your notebook or use as a reference.
Creating To-Do Lists
Step 1: Open the Copilot pane in OneNote.
Step 2: Type a prompt such as “Create a to-do list for my project management tasks” and press Enter.
Step 3: Copilot will generate a structured to-do list based on your prompt. You can then edit or expand this list as needed.
Generating Ideas
Step 1: In the Copilot pane, enter a prompt like “Generate ideas for a marketing campaign for eco-friendly products.”
Step 2: Review the ideas generated by Copilot and use them as a starting point for your brainstorming session.
Step 3: You can ask Copilot to expand on specific ideas or generate more related concepts by providing additional prompts.
Drafting Plans
Step 1: Open the Copilot pane and type a prompt such as “Create a plan for organizing a team-building event.”
Step 2: Copilot will generate a structured plan with potential steps, considerations, and timelines.
Step 3: Review the plan and ask Copilot to refine or expand on specific sections as needed.
Rewriting Text
Step 1: Select the text you want to rewrite in your OneNote page.
Step 2: In the Copilot pane, enter a prompt like “Rewrite the selected text to make it more concise and professional.”
Step 3: Copilot will generate a rewritten version of your text, which you can then review and incorporate into your notes.
Tips for Effective Copilot Use
To get the most out of Copilot in OneNote, consider these tips:
- Be specific in your prompts to get more accurate and relevant responses.
- Experiment with different phrasings to see how they affect Copilot’s output.
- Use Copilot to break down complex topics into simpler explanations.
- Leverage Copilot for creative tasks like brainstorming or outlining articles.
- Always review and fact-check Copilot’s output, as AI can sometimes make mistakes or provide outdated information.
Limitations and Considerations
While Copilot is a powerful tool, it’s important to be aware of its limitations:
- Copilot’s knowledge is based on its training data and may not include the most recent information.
- It may occasionally generate inaccurate or irrelevant content, so always review its output critically.
- Copilot works best with clear, well-structured prompts. Vague or ambiguous requests may lead to less useful results.
- The feature is still evolving, so its capabilities may change or expand over time.
Copilot in OneNote transforms your digital notebook into an intelligent assistant, helping you create, organize, and refine your ideas more efficiently. By following these steps and tips, you can harness the power of AI to elevate your note-taking and productivity to new heights. Remember to use Copilot as a tool to augment your own creativity and critical thinking, rather than a replacement for them.