Are There Mathematical Tools in OneNote?

In a word No. There are no built-in tools in OneNote for performing mathematical calculations. You can't enter 2 + 2 = and have OneNote answer with 4. However, that doesn't mean you can't work around this limitation. Even without explicitly developed mathematical features, you can still use OneNote for calculations, mathematic class notes, and facts and figures.

Of course you can always take mathematical notes in OneNote by hand. Figure 22.1 shows some handwritten notes on the Tablet PC with mathematical calculations written in the note page.

Figure 22.1. You can write detailed calculations in OneNote, but it won't calculate them for you.

You can also enter calculations on a laptop or desktop computer. Use the Tab key to line up your columns, as shown in Figure 22.2.

Figure 22.2. You can type your equations and use the Tab key to line up columns.

This functionality is exactly the same as the functionality you'd get on a legal pad or spiral notebook. So while OneNote can't perform the calculations for you, it's very possible to type or write out detailed calculations in your notes.

Using Symbols to Enter Equations

If you need to display complex equations in OneNote, you can insert symbols between your numbers. Consider the following equation: The square root of 25 is not equal to 10 divided by 2.1. To enter this complex equation, use the following steps.

1. Enter the basic equation without symbols. For our example, enter 25 10 2.1.

2. Position your cursor before the number 25 using your mouse or Tablet PC's pen.

3. Choose Insert, Symbol to display Figure 22.3.

   Figure 22.3. You can choose from a variety of mathematical symbols.

   

4. Choose Unicode (hex) in the from drop-down box. This displays the Subset drop-down in the upper right corner of the Symbols box.

5. Select Mathematical Operators from the Subset drop-down box.

6. Choose the Square Root symbol and click Insert.

7. Move the Symbol dialog over as needed so that you can see the numbers you typed in step 1.

8. Use your mouse or Tablet PC pen and click between the 25 and the 10. (You can leave the Symbol dialog open and still click and type within your note.)

9. Choose the Not Equal To symbol and click Insert.

10. Move your cursor between the 10 and the 2.1.

11. Choose the Division Sign symbol and click Insert.

12. Click the X to Close the Symbol dialog box.

Your equation should now look like Figure 22.4.

Figure 22.4. You can enter a variety of symbols in your notes.