how to use shapes in one note on android tablet?

Question

how to use shapes in one note on android tablet?

Sitaram Khorjuvekar 20

I was using one note on ipad for note taking with pencil it was good apart from minor issues with syncing. ipad was getting older so i went with samsung tablet and s-pen and my curse has started ever since i am using one note.

For simple drawing of lines using shapes is a problem. After line has been drawn when i go to adjust manipulators it suddenly switches to typing. Sometime i am able to select manipulator which is at the middle but i am not able to rotate a line and sometimes line altogether shift one page down to another place and overall very inconsistent.

Minor issues.

There is no way to turn off pressure sensitivity when i am using one note with s-pen. my handwriting has very uneven thickness.
Eraser has no option of adjustment like strikethrough, small space eraser, big space eraser compared to ipad. only one space eraser option provided.

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Answer 1

Alex_T 3,740 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello Sitaram Khorjuvekar,

Thank you for reaching out in Microsoft Q&A forum.

I understand you’re facing difficulties using shapes and S-Pen features in OneNote on your Android tablet.

OneNote for Android currently has limited support for advanced shape manipulation and S-Pen customization compared to the iPad version. Features like precise rotation, pressure sensitivity control, and multiple eraser options are not fully implemented on Android.

You can try these solutions:

Enable Draw Mode Properly
- Open OneNote and select the Draw tab.
- Choose Pen or Shape tools before drawing. Avoid switching to text mode until you finish adjustments.
Use “Ink to Shape” for Cleaner Shapes
- After drawing a rough shape, tap Ink to Shape (available in some versions). This converts freehand shapes into neat geometric shapes.
Currently, rotation is not supported natively on Android. A workaround is to copy the drawn shape, paste it into an image editor (like Samsung Notes), rotate it there, and reinsert into OneNote.
OneNote Android does not allow disabling pressure sensitivity. If uneven thickness is an issue, use the Ballpoint Pen option, which gives more consistent lines.

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Alex_T 3,740 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-30T22:57:14.2733333+00:00

Hello Sitaram Khorjuvekar,

I don't see any update from you. I wonder if your issue has been resolved or not. And if you were able to solve the issue and find this answer helpful, please upvote and mark it as accepted. This will help others with similar problem in this forum and they will be very grateful for that.

Thank you for understanding.
Sitaram Khorjuvekar 20 Reputation points

2025-12-02T06:03:46.71+00:00
Thanks Alex for your answer.

Can you elaborate when using S-pen how to switch between text mode and Draw mode.

I dont get 'Ink to Shape' option where can i get it.

How long to wait for features to come for android that are in ipad.

Thanks again for completing my queries.
Alex_T 3,740 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-02T15:24:28.0966667+00:00
Hi Sitaram Khorjuvekar,

Thanks for trying my suggestions.

With your questions:

OneNote on Android doesn’t auto‑switch modes when a pen is detected (unlike iPad). You will need to switch manually:

Open the page > tap Draw on the top bar > Pick a tool (e.g., Ballpoint Pen, Highlighter, Shapes).

To type again, tap Home > tap into the page and use the keyboard (or tap Text, Select if shown).

If the app keeps snapping back to typing while you use the S‑Pen, check Samsung settings: Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > S Pen to text > Off.

Samsung Keyboard: Settings > Input types, Handwriting > turn off “Handwriting to text”

“Ink to Shape” exists on Windows and iPad builds. The Android app only has basic Shapes (insertable under Draw > Shapes) and standard inking; it does not convert freehand ink into perfect geometry.

Microsoft hasn’t published an ETA for bringing iPad‑level features (Ink to Shape, rotation handles, pressure toggle, multiple erasers) to Android. Features roll out gradually; Android often trails Windows, iPad for advanced inking.

Let me know if you need further assistance.

Thank you
Alex_T 3,740 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-03T15:25:54.9866667+00:00

Hi Sitaram Khorjuvekar,

Is there anything I can help? If not, I would like to close this case for now.

Please feel free to let me know if you need any further assistance.

Thank you
Sitaram Khorjuvekar 20 Reputation points

2025-12-05T12:34:17.2266667+00:00

thanks alex. for answering questions.

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