I'm finding it difficult to transition from OneNote 2016 to the OneNote App. I typically use a Vertical Monitor and so my Horizontal space is limited. With OneNote 2016 I didn't have any issues.
OneNote App however by default takes up the screen 'real-estate' by stuffing all of the menu options on the Left side of the screen. I'm not fan and I'm unfortunately not able to figure out how to rearrange the layout of the tabs to match the layout I loved from 2016.
I had this exact same issue and finally figured it out. I had to download 'OneNote' from the onenote website instead of the 'Windows 10 OneNote' App that I had on my computer. I also logged into the web browser version which also gave me the option to go to the desktop version.
At the time of writing of this answer, there is no way to change the layout back to "sections on top" form – as confirmed on Microsoft Answers forums.
They only suggest to vote at OneNote's UserVoice suggestion pool to address this.
Sorry for not helping you better, but this is currently the answer.
After 2 years and 7 months I still hate the Windows 10 OneNote app and its inability to allow for a dynamic layout. I use a vertical monitor and having the tabs display on the left side just doesn't work. I need them to be on the top and display horizontally.
The only answer as others have suggested was to download the OneNote Desktop version. Which is unfortunate as I originally thought I was 'Upgrading' to a newer better version and then once I did I haven't used OneNote in 2 years and 7 months and have only been using it to search other peoples shared OneNote documentation.
So... if you want tabs across the top don't download the Windows 10 OneNote App.
The Only answer to this question is to download the OneNote Desktop version.
The Vertical Tabs layout option is now available in OneNote for Windows. This layout aligns with the navigation experience found in other Microsoft 365 apps, such as Outlook and Teams.
How it works Switch to Vertical Tabs:
Click View > Tabs Layout > Vertical Tabs.
Your notebooks and pages will now appear on the left side.
Switch Back to Horizontal Tabs:
If you prefer having the section tabs at the top, select View > Tabs Layout > Horizontal Tabs.
Looks like a lot of people were complaining about this so Microsoft added the ability to switch to horizontal tabs
Rearrange page tabs
Page tabs run down the side of your notebook and are a helpful way to organize content in a section.
In the page tabs column along the side, drag a page tab up or down until it's in the position where you want it.
A horizontal bar will appear in the spaces between other pages as you move the mouse so you’ll know where the tab will end up when you release the mouse button.
Okay thanks Ash!! I am actually trying to get the look above back! I hate the old school tabs across the top, it looks so 1987 to me. So I believe I can follow your directions and get it back. It was there this whole time, then I had to hard shut off my computer (meh.. it happens) but when I reopened my onenote, it looked . . old. Tabs across the top and I was loving the new look! So. . I'll get on line and download the new version! #FingersCrossed
I had this issue, as well, Jennelle. If you click on My Notebooks (or whatever you may have renamed it) in the upper left hand corner, then PIN (click on the pushpin icon), the sections will now appear on the left side. :)
