Can You Write on a PDF or Powerpoint and Import Into OneNote?

[tallarob]

I am thinking about purchasing a Surface Pro 3 for my son for graduate school. He says that quite often the professor will give them a copy of a powerpoint or PDF and he would like to be able to take notes on the Powerpoint or the PDF using the stylus that come with the Surface Pro 3. I assume this can be done. Can these be imported into OneNote?

 

[astell]

You can mark up and then share a screen shot of the PDF to OneNote with the default PDF Reader; though, I personally prefer Drawboard PDF ($10). I've not tried a PP as I don't use it too much.

 

[cdf3]

Yes. Just tried it, and it works.
You can use the pen to write on PDF files using the built in Reader app, or you can use another app of your liking.
You can also use the pen within the PowerPoint app. I found it under the Pens tab within PowerPoint (I'm using Office 2013).
I imported a PDF and Powerpoint file, and was able to annotate on both after they were imported into OneNote.
When you import them into OneNote, be sure to select Insert File Printout if you want to continue to write on them while in OneNote.

 

[stephen_az]

It is pretty easy with PowerPoint but somewhat clunky with pdfs. It is still doable but not exactly seamless. There are several newer apps for marking up pdfs though that may make it more smooth. Annotate101 seems to be a good bet but I have only just started testing it. Drawboard pdf has a good tool set, however, I haven't checked on OneNote integration.

 

[tallarob]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'm liking the Surface more and more. He was originally leaning towards an Apple MacBook Air but found out he can't split the screen so that he can watch lecture videos and take notes at the same time and he loved the pen and ability to take notes and draw on the screen.
I've played with OneNote some and am just beginning to unlock some of it's secrets. I just figured out that the app on the Start Screen does not have all the features that the version in desktop mode has. I've used my Nokia 2520 during a couple of seminars I've attended and could not figure out how to insert audio. I noticed on my desktop computer that there is an option to insert audio. On my tablet, even though I'm using OneNote 2010 in desktop mode, there is no option to insert audio. Does anyone know of there is a way to do this. Do I need different version of OneNote?
Most importantly, will Surface allow the insertion of audio of using Office 365?

 

[cdf3]

Yes, you can insert audio files.
Insert it as a regular file attachment.
Use the trackpad or your mouse to hover over the audio file icon once it's inserted into the page within OneNote.
A crossbar icon will appear. Tap once and the audio playback buttons will appear.
You can also right click on the file icon to get to the play menus as well.

 

[tallarob]

But there is no option to record audio or video as there is on my desktop computer unless I'm missing something.

 

[cdf3]

But there is no option to record audio or video as there is on my desktop computer unless I'm missing something.

You will need to use the Desktop version of OneNote in order to record Audio files on your Surface Pro 3.
Insert > Record Audio
When you want to stop recording click on the Playback tab in the navigation bar, then Stop

 

[alisaad619]

But there is no option to record audio or video as there is on my desktop computer unless I'm missing something.

you need to be office 365 subscriber for the recording audio to work in onenote

I faced the same issue and it was really strange to find out that there are some features of Onenote that are not on the free desktop version

Microsoft OneNote – note taking software

 

[alisaad619]

I did some research to find the best PDF annotating program to use when I buy my surface pro 3

and I think Drawboard is one of best apps for that ( even the Surface vice president recommended it on the latest AMA )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gnA9_ixccc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mH-oNlH_bs

Drawboard: PDF Annotation for your mobile device

 

[jojoe42]

Yes. Just tried it, and it works.
You can use the pen to write on PDF files using the built in Reader app, or you can use another app of your liking.
You can also use the pen within the PowerPoint app. I found it under the Pens tab within PowerPoint (I'm using Office 2013).
I imported a PDF and Powerpoint file, and was able to annotate on both after they were imported into OneNote.
When you import them into OneNote, be sure to select Insert File Printout if you want to continue to write on them while in OneNote.

I use my SP2 for annotation at school on a 200-page workbook. I would recommend importing the PDF into OneNote, as it's more reliable, powerful and efficient. Also, I'd recommend getting at least Office 2013 or Office 365 - I had OneNote 2010 and upgraded, my golly it makes a difference (touch interface, easier UI etc.). I never used the Modern OneNote app from the store because it lacked so many features

Bonus points: OneNote indexes any documents/PDFs you import AND the handwriting. Makes it super easy to get around your notes

 

[tallarob]

Thanks again to everyone!

 

[nasellok]

For PDF annotation, try Bluebeam, it's a paid desktop application, but it's features are great. I'm an architect, and we use it exclusively to mark up and collaborate with consultants

 

[cdf3]

you need to be office 365 subscriber for the recording audio to work in onenote

I faced the same issue and it was really strange to find out that there are some features of Onenote that are not on the free desktop version

That's not true. You do not have to be a an Office 365 Subscriber in order to use the recording features.
I installed Microsoft Office 2013 onto my Surface Pro, which was installed on my Windows 7 laptop.
It comes with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, etc.
It's pretty much the same as Office 365, without having to pay a yearly subscription.
You get extra perks for being an Office 365 subscriber, but OneNote features are the same as the regular Office 2013.
Here's a screen shot of how I'm able to record using the regular Office 2013, and no I'm not an Office 365 subscriber.

 

[hcrick]

Once you're in draw/edit mode, how do you scroll or zoom without switching back to type mode?

 

[cdf3]

Once you're in draw/edit mode, how do you scroll or zoom without switching back to type mode?

If you would like to zoom in using the Metro version of OneNote, do the following:
- Press Ctrl + or Ctrl - on your TypeCover keyboard.
- With the Metro version of OneNote open > Open Charms Menu > Settings > Options > Use Touch To Zoom (Turn On) > Use 3 or 4 fingers to zoom in and out

If you would like to zoom in and out using the Desktop version of OneNote, simply use 2 fingers to pinch to zoom

 

[rdubmu]

OneNote on the Surface can even take video (The Office 365/ Office 13) version.

The modern version lacks so many features. I don't use it. I hope that MS comes out with the desktop version of all the office apps and make them modern apps. Desktop is clunky with touch but still doable.

I also noticed some errors when I write on a PDF in reader, it sometimes does not save my hand writing when I reopen it. I highly suggest you import the doc into OneNote to make your notes. Also OneNote is very good as you can really organize your notes and find what you need pretty quickly

Sent from my Surface with Windows 8 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[anon(7901790)]

I use the Modern UI version on my SP3, since the form factor is better. I use OneNote 2013 on my desktop to do the more powerful stuff. And since I have Office 2013 on both my SP3 as well, I have that capability too. Best of both worlds IMO.

 

[hopmedic]

The modern version lacks so many features. I don't use it. I hope that MS comes out with the desktop version of all the office apps and make them modern apps. Desktop is clunky with touch but still doable.

Microsoft has been working on code-name Gemini for at least a year and a half. :wink:

I use OneNote for my College Algebra homework, as my classes are all online, so it is really nice to export my homework to pdf and turn in the attachment. I'll have to look into the importing a pdf to OneNote. I hadn't even thought of trying that. My textbooks are mostly pdf, so this could turn out to be a really huge file, but at least worth looking into.

 

[alisaad619]

That's not true. You do not have to be a an Office 365 Subscriber in order to use the recording features.
I installed Microsoft Office 2013 onto my Surface Pro, which was installed on my Windows 7 laptop.
It comes with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, etc.
It's pretty much the same as Office 365, without having to pay a yearly subscription.
You get extra perks for being an Office 365 subscriber, but OneNote features are the same as the regular Office 2013.
Here's a screen shot of how I'm able to record using the regular Office 2013, and no I'm not an Office 365 subscriber.

View attachment 73457

yeah ,thanks for the tip , then the correct statement should be:-
the free desktop Onenote don't have the recording audio/video , the paid version (office 365 or office 13) will have that