OneNote should include closed sections in searches

[alainr]

I think an advanced search tool for OneNote is a requirement. It would be a
convenient feature to include the possiblity of including closed sections
and/or the backup when making a search since what I'm looking for could be in
a closed section that I didn't want to have cluttering-up my workspace (which
is probably why I don't remember where I put it). One of the reasons why I
converted my notebook from a paper notebook to a computer version is to avoid
having to flip endlessly through the pages of my notebook and from notebook
to notebook, to find something I've written down a few days, months or years
ago. When I'm done with a section I like to close it down (forget about it,
but have it accessible for later reference). I think it would only make
sense if such a tool would have powerful searching capabilities (even if it
is slow which is acceptable since as I understand, it wasn't necessarily
meant to be a database).

 

[alainr]

When I hear “database†I think of a collection of information that is highly
structured; any information item carries a significant amount of overhead to
describe the item and essentially create a context for it in relation to
other items and categories. Ultimately, up to the point where the computer
can accurately figure-out the meaning of what you request when you perform a
search and return with the information before you have the time to blink.
Such a database becomes resource intensive and overhead intensive in
proportion to the level of search performance you expect to get out of the
database, in effect prohibiting seamless use on conventional home computers
and potentially inhaling all the juice in your laptop in no time. But I
think this concerns mainly databases of the size involved in financial
institutions.

I also would like to know how MS engineers define the word “databaseâ€. I
can’t see an application like OneNote requiring a prohibitive level of
complexity for a minimum level of usability. OneNote is ultimately a simple
database. One of the most important office tools is a notebook. Not many
people learn to use them because it is too time consuming to flip through the
pages to find something, and all the good stuff (links, pictures, graphs, web
page snips, PC screen captures, sketches, tasks, contacts… and notes with
time-stamps) can’t all be organized and maintained efficiently in a paper
notebook, not to mention the excruciating Pain of handwriting which I am
personally trying to eliminate from any task in my life (including
signatures). The PC version of a note book such as OneNote is something I’ve
been waiting for, for a long time… but it still requires significant work in
a few aspects. In the entire MS Office package, OneNote is the application
that should have the highest level of integration with other office programs
(especially Outlook). And I don’t think it would be a significant threat to
the other office programs if it had a couple extra useful features which may
seem redundant when compared to the other office programs, but essential for
a notebook program.

Whoever gets this tool right is going to make a Fortune. I think it’s an
indispensable tool for many people... they just don’t know it yet. From my
experience with these tools, MS OneNote seems to have a head-start on this
one. Please, MS do a good job on this one and I think you will win the
respect of many people.

 

[Andrew Watt [MVP - InfoPath]]

I think an advanced search tool for OneNote is a requirement. It would be a
convenient feature to include the possiblity of including closed sections
and/or the backup when making a search since what I'm looking for could be in
a closed section that I didn't want to have cluttering-up my workspace (which
is probably why I don't remember where I put it). One of the reasons why I
converted my notebook from a paper notebook to a computer version is to avoid
having to flip endlessly through the pages of my notebook and from notebook
to notebook, to find something I've written down a few days, months or years
ago. When I'm done with a section I like to close it down (forget about it,
but have it accessible for later reference). I think it would only make
sense if such a tool would have powerful searching capabilities (even if it
is slow which is acceptable since as I understand, it wasn't necessarily
meant to be a database).

Alain,

Improvements in OneNote's search capabilities are frequently asked
for. I have made several specific suggestions on just that point.

Having a search facility on non-open sections makes a lot of sense to
me.

Andrew Watt
MVP - InfoPath