Boost Your Meetings: Taking Notes with OneNote in Outlook & Skype

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Hey there! Ever feel like your meetings are a blur and your notes are a mess? OneNote is here to save the day! It’s not just for to-do lists and random thoughts; it’s a powerful tool that integrates with Outlook and Skype for Business to keep your meeting notes organized and accessible. Let’s dive into how to use OneNote to supercharge your meetings.

Taking Awesome Notes with OneNote¶

OneNote is your secret weapon for productive meetings. It helps you keep track of everything discussed, share your notes with colleagues, and stay on top of action items.

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OneNote in Outlook: Your Meeting Companion¶

Integrating OneNote with Outlook is a game-changer, especially for Office 365 groups. Here’s how to make it work for you:

Step-by-Step Guide for Outlook Integration¶

1. Open Outlook: Fire up Outlook and open the meeting you want to take notes for.
2. Find Meeting Notes: Click on the “Meeting” tab and select “Meeting Notes.”
3. Choose Your Sharing Style: A dialog box will pop up with two options:
   • Share notes with the meeting: This is perfect for collaborative note-taking and keeping everyone on the same page.
   • Take notes on your own: If you prefer to keep your notes private, this is the way to go.
4. Pick a Location: In the “Select Location in OneNote” dialog box, choose the section where you want to save your notes. Then, click “OK.”

And that’s it! Your OneNote notes are now linked to your Outlook meeting.

OneNote in Skype for Business: Real-time Collaboration¶

Skype for Business is a fantastic tool for instant messaging, audio and video calls, and online meetings. Integrating OneNote takes your online meetings to the next level.

Making OneNote Work with Skype for Business¶

1. Start Your Meeting: In Skype for Business, click the drop-down arrow on the “Options” menu. You can start an online meeting by:
   • Sending an instant message
   • Starting an audio or video call
   • Clicking “Meet Now”
2. Find “My Notes”: Once the meeting window appears, click the “Present” icon (it looks like a computer monitor). In the next window, select “My Notes.”
3. Choose Your Location: Just like in Outlook, you’ll see the “Select Location in OneNote” dialog box. Choose where you want to save your notes and click “OK.”

Now your notes are linked to your Skype for Business conversation. The coolest part? Other participants can see your notes in real-time and contribute their own thoughts. It’s a fantastic way to collaborate and ensure everyone is actively engaged.

Why OneNote is Your Meeting MVP¶

Here’s a quick recap of why OneNote is so awesome for meetings:

• Organization: No more scattered notes! OneNote keeps everything neatly organized and easily searchable.
• Collaboration: Real-time sharing and editing make teamwork a breeze.
• Accessibility: Access your notes from anywhere, on any device.
• Integration: Seamless integration with Outlook and Skype for Business streamlines your workflow.

Tips for Supercharged Note-Taking¶

• Use Tags: OneNote allows you to tag important points, action items, and decisions. This makes it easy to find specific information later.
• Create Templates: Develop templates for different types of meetings to save time and ensure consistency.
• Use Audio Recording: If allowed, record the meeting audio within OneNote. This is incredibly helpful for capturing nuances and details.
• Draw and Sketch: OneNote’s drawing tools allow you to visually capture ideas and diagrams.

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Ready to Transform Your Meetings?¶

OneNote is more than just a note-taking app; it’s a powerful tool that can transform your meetings into productive and collaborative sessions. Give it a try, and see the difference!

What are your thoughts on using OneNote for meetings? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below! We’d love to hear how you’re using OneNote to rock your meetings. And be sure to check back for more productivity tips and tricks!