Where to find the page color setting in OneNote

OneNote lets you change the background color of individual pages or set a default color for all new pages you create. The setting lives in the page properties, not in a general preferences menu — which is why many people miss it. You access it through the page itself, not through a settings panel.

Open OneNote and navigate to any page. At the top right of the page, you'll see a small icon that looks like a paint palette or a gear. Click the three-dot menu icon (sometimes called "More options") in the top right corner of the page. From there, select "Page Color" or "Page Setup" depending on your OneNote version. This opens a color picker where you can choose from preset colors or create a custom shade.

Key Takeaways

  • Page color settings are accessed through the three-dot menu at the top right of each page, not through general preferences.
  • Changing a single page's color affects only that page; to set a default for new pages, you must change the color before creating them or use a template.
  • OneNote offers preset colors and a custom color option if you want a specific shade that matches your workflow.
  • The exact menu location varies slightly between OneNote for Windows, Mac, and the web version, but the three-dot menu is consistent across all platforms.

Changing the color of a single page

To change the background color of the page you're currently viewing, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select "Page Color" from the dropdown. A color palette will appear with options like blue, green, yellow, pink, and gray. Click the color you want, and the page background changes when ready.

If none of the preset colors work for you, look for a "Custom Color" or "More Colors" option at the bottom of the palette. This opens a full color picker where you can select any shade. Once you've chosen your color, click outside the palette or press Enter to explore it. The change takes effect right away and saves automatically.

Setting a default color for new pages

OneNote does not have a single "default color" setting that applies to every new page you create going forward. Instead, you have two practical workarounds. The first is to create a template page with your preferred color, then duplicate that page whenever you need a new one with the same background.

To create a template, set up a page with your desired color and any other formatting you like (fonts, headers, sections). Right-click the page tab on the left side and select "Save as Page Template" (or similar wording depending on your version). Then, whenever you want a new page with that color, right-click in the page list and choose "New Page from Template." Select your saved template, and the new page will inherit the color and layout.

Differences between OneNote versions

OneNote for Windows (the desktop app) and OneNote for Mac both have the three-dot menu in the top right, but the exact wording of menu options can differ slightly. In the Windows version, you may see "Page Color" directly. In the Mac version, it might be under "Page Setup" or "Format." The web version of OneNote (OneNote online) also has this feature, accessed the same way.

If you use OneNote 2016 (the older standalone version), the page color option is in the "Design" tab at the top of the ribbon. Look for a "Page Color" button and click the dropdown arrow next to it. The color palette works the same way as in newer versions. If you're unsure which version you have, check the title bar of the process or go to File > Account to see the version number.

Why page color matters for organization

Changing page colors helps you organize your notebook visually without adding text labels or folders. You might use blue for work notes, green for personal projects, yellow for urgent items, and gray for archived content. This color-coding system makes it faster to scan your notebook and find the section you need, especially if you have dozens of pages.

Color also reduces eye strain if you spend long hours in OneNote. A light background color can be easier on the eyes than pure white, and some people find that a subtle tint helps them focus. Experiment with a few colors over a week to see which background feels most comfortable for your work style.

Troubleshooting color changes that don't stick

If you change a page color and it reverts to white the next time you open OneNote, the most common cause is that the change didn't save before you closed the process. Always wait a moment after selecting a color to make sure the page refreshes. If you're using OneNote online, check your internet connection — a dropped connection can prevent changes from syncing.

Another possibility is that you're working in a shared notebook where permissions prevent you from changing page formatting. If you're collaborating with others, ask the notebook owner whether page color changes are restricted. In some cases, switching to a personal copy of the notebook or creating your own section within the shared notebook will let you change colors freely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the color of multiple pages at once?

No, OneNote requires you to change each page's color individually. However, if you have many pages that need the same color, creating a template (as described above) is the fastest approach. You can then duplicate the template page multiple times and add your content to each copy.

Will changing a page color affect the text or images on that page?

No. The page color is the background only. Your text, images, and other content remain unchanged. If the new background color makes your text hard to read, you can change the text color separately by selecting the text and using the font color tool in the toolbar.

What if I want to change the color of an entire section, not just one page?

OneNote doesn't have a section-wide color setting. You would need to change each page in that section individually. If you want a consistent look across many pages, the template method is your best option — create one colored page as a template and use it to generate all the pages in that section.

Can I use a custom image as a page background instead of a solid color?

The standard page color feature only supports solid colors, not images. However, some versions of OneNote allow you to insert a large image at the top of a page and position it as a pseudo-background. This is a workaround rather than a built-in feature, and it can make the page harder to edit.