Microsoft’s OneNote Comes to Mac, Releases Cloud API for Third-Party Developers

Microsoft onenote on multiple devices

Microsoft onenote on multiple devices

Taking on Evernote in the fierce battle to become the ultimate universal note-taking and organization app, Microsoft is bringing free versions of its OneNote app to Mac and Windows. Microsoft has also opened up its cloud API so third-party developers can build OneNote integration into their apps and services.

OneNote for Mac

Users who requested OneNote for Mac are seeing their wish come true: OneNote is now available for Mac for the first time, bringing its planning, list-making and organization capabilities to practically all devices.

screenshot of formatting a note in OneNote for Mac

OneNote for Mac features a ribbon interface that will be familiar to those who use Microsoft Office for Mac. In the ribbon users can find formatting options to help them create up to 20 types of lists such as to-do lists with items that can be checked off, highlighting and the option to set reminders for later. But OneNote can do much more than lists; the app’s “infinite canvas” lets users create free-form pages of notes where pictures, lists and more can be placed anywhere on the page. The app also includes quick shortcut keys that can be used to quickly re-order, strikethrough and format text.

Screenshot of Planning a trip in OneNote for Mac

Just like on EverNote, OneNote allows users to organize notes into notebooks. Microsoft takes this a step further, however, by allowing users to further file their notes into sections and pages within notebooks. And no matter where a note is saved, key terms can be found using OneNote’s search bar. Additionally, OneNote allows users to collaborate on documents, and sharing via link or email is integrated directly into the app.

OneNote for Windows Goes Freemium

Windows also launched a free version of OneNote 2013 for Windows users. Though some features, including SharePoint, version history and Outlook integration, will only be available for Office 365 and Office 2013 customers, the free version is ad-free and features all the core capabilities of the paid version of OneNote. This means everything created in OneNote is synced to OneDrive, which provides users 7GB of free storage space with no monthly upload limit.

Connecting OneNote to Third-Party Apps and Services

Apps that integrate with OneNote

To help users save important information to OneNote from anywhere, OneNote provides a number of bookmarking and saving tools that pair with external services. It’s relaunched its Web clipper for Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari for Mac and integrates with popular third-party services like Brother, Doxie Go, Epson, Feedly, Genius Scan, IFTTT, JotNot, Livescribe, Mod Notebook, News360 and Weave.

In an effort to connect with even more third-party services, Microsoft has released the OneNote cloud API so developers can integrate OneNote connectivity into even more apps.

Download OneNote for Mac from the Mac App Store here.

 
Which note-taking apps do you use?

Lauren Mobertz

By Lauren Mobertz

Lauren is the former managing editor for DashBurst. One part geek, one part urban nomad, she is constantly scouting for the latest tech and world news. In the evenings you'll find Lauren running in strange places or attempting to dance salsa.