Where to find the page color setting in OneNote

OneNote stores the page color option in the Design tab on the ribbon. Open any notebook, then click the Design tab at the top of the window. You'll see a section labeled "Page Color" with a row of color squares. Click any color to change the current page to that shade. The color applies only to the page you're viewing — other pages keep their existing colors unless you change them individually.

If you're using OneNote on the web, the Design tab appears in the same location. The process is identical: click Design, then select your preferred color from the Page Color options.

Key Takeaways

  • Page color changes are made through the Design tab on the ribbon, not through settings or preferences.
  • Each page's color is independent — changing one page's color does not affect other pages in your notebook.
  • OneNote offers a standard set of colors in the Page Color menu, and you cannot create custom colors for page backgrounds.
  • The page color setting works the same way in OneNote desktop, OneNote for Windows 10, and OneNote on the web.

Changing the color of a single page versus multiple pages

If you want to change the color of just one page, open that page and use the Design tab as described above. The color change affects only that page. Your other pages remain unchanged.

To change multiple pages to the same color, you must do each page individually. Open the first page, select your color, then move to the next page and repeat. There is no batch option to color several pages at once. If you have many pages to recolor, this takes time, but it also gives you the flexibility to use different colors for different sections of your notebook.

What happens when you set a page color

When you select a page color, OneNote applies a background tint to the entire page. The text and any images you've added remain visible on top of this colored background. The color does not affect printing — when you print a page, OneNote prints the text and content, but the background color may not appear in the printed version depending on your printer settings.

If you later decide you don't like the color, you can change it again at any time by returning to the Design tab and selecting a different shade. OneNote also includes a white option, which returns the page to a blank background.

Why page colors might not appear or might look different

If you've set a page color but it doesn't show up, check whether you're viewing the page in a theme that overrides colors. Some OneNote themes or display modes can affect how background colors appear on screen. Try switching your OneNote theme to the default light theme to see the color clearly.

Page colors may also look different depending on your monitor's brightness and color settings. A color that appears pale on one screen might look darker on another. If you're sharing a notebook with others, they may see the colors slightly differently based on their own display settings.

The difference between page color and notebook themes

Page color and OneNote's overall theme are separate settings. The page color option changes only the background of individual pages. The theme — which you set in OneNote's main settings — changes the color of the entire OneNote interface (the ribbon, sidebars, and menus). You can have a dark theme for the OneNote interface while keeping your pages white, or vice versa.

If you want to change how your entire notebook looks rather than individual page backgrounds, look for the theme setting in OneNote's File menu under Options, not in the Design tab.

Undoing or removing a page color

To remove a page color and return to white, open the page and click the Design tab. Look for the white or blank color option in the Page Color row and click it. This removes the background tint and leaves you with a standard white page.

If you've changed colors multiple times and want to undo your most recent change, you can use Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) to step back through your edits. This works as long as you haven't closed and reopened the page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a custom page color that isn't in the preset list?

No. OneNote offers only the colors shown in the Page Color menu on the Design tab. You cannot create or upload custom colors for page backgrounds. You're limited to the shades OneNote provides.

Will the page color print when I print my notebook?

It depends on your printer and settings. Most printers do not print background colors by default to save ink. Check your printer's color settings before printing if you want the background color to appear on paper. Some printers have an option to print backgrounds, but it's usually turned off.

Does changing a page color affect other people's view of the shared notebook?

Yes. If you share a notebook with others, they will see the page colors you've set. The color is part of the page itself, not a personal display preference. Everyone viewing that page sees the same background color.

Can I set a default page color so all new pages are a certain color?

No. OneNote does not have a default page color setting. Every new page starts white. You must manually change the color of each page using the Design tab. There is no way to make new pages automatically appear in a color you choose.