Here’s your Guide to Digital Planning and Journaling in OneNote.
If you want to start journaling using your laptop, mobile or tablet/ iPad then you must watch this step-by-step guide to create your journal digitally using Microsoft OneNote for free.
Transcript: Guide to Digital Planning and Journaling in Onenote
Did you know you can create a beautiful, customized journal using free Microsoft OneNote on your PC, tablet, or mobile? Right now, I’m using Microsoft OneNote on my laptop. Before creating your journal, it’s best to organize by sections for each year, like 2023 and 2024. To start, go to File, create a new notebook, and select a location, usually OneDrive. I’m not creating a new notebook now since I already have one. In the notebook, you can create sections by year, quarter, or month. For instance, you can name one section “2025,” and then add monthly pages.
To make subsections, drag pages under the main section. For example, you could have a January 2025 section and pages labeled “January 01” and “January 02.” Once you’re finished with one month, move to February by creating a new section. You can also collapse sections to keep your journal organized. I prefer this structure, as I can export each year’s section as a PDF. That way, at the end of 2023, for instance, I have a single PDF of my journal, making it easy to refer back to my entries as a cohesive book.
My journal evolves over time. I usually start with a blank page and later customize it. Currently, I use a template for my entries: I start with gratitude on the right side, writing what I’m thankful for. Next, I set my intentions for the day, including my major goals and key tasks to complete. These are three crucial items that guide my progress toward larger goals. After that, I add my thoughts and learning for the day. This can come from books, movies, or even conversations, allowing me to reflect on any insights I’ve gained. Finally, I write down any additional thoughts or ideas.
OneNote allows infinite zoom, so I can easily zoom in and out or write on an empty page if needed. I set my journal template to A4 size so that, when printed or exported, each entry fits one page. While I usually limit entries to one page, I can add more if necessary. In addition to writing, you can insert images from your device or the internet, add drawings or highlights if you have a stylus, and make your journal visually engaging.
If you’re interested in creating custom templates, let me know in the comments, and I’ll make a video on that. You can also insert text and tags, making sections searchable. For example, add an “ideas” tag, and OneNote will bring you directly to any page tagged “ideas.” Custom tags are useful too; create tags for quotes, book recommendations, or movies to watch, making them easy to find later.
OneNote is a powerful tool for digital journaling and note-taking. If you have questions about using it, leave a comment, and I’ll make a video to help. If you enjoy productivity videos, subscribe to our channel. I’m Andrew, and I’ll see you in the next video.
