How To Take Office 2007 Screenshots With OneNote

The Utility of Screenshots and OneNote's Capability

The need to capture a screenshot can arise unexpectedly. This might involve documenting a newly created cover page in MS Word, or securing approval for a presentation template.

Alternatively, you may simply wish to share an amusing typographical error on platforms like Twitter. Essentially, any situation where a visual representation enhances communication can benefit from a screenshot.

Accessibility of Screenshot Tools

Given the growing prevalence of visual content, a readily accessible screenshot tool is highly desirable. Microsoft Office 2010 introduced a dedicated screenshot button within Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, and Word, conveniently located under the Insert tab.

However, users of Microsoft Office 2007 are not left without options. A capable solution exists by leveraging a feature present in one of the Office suite's core applications.

Utilizing OneNote for Screenshots in Office 2007

Microsoft OneNote provides a robust screen clipping tool that enables users to capture screenshots of any portion of their screen, even when using Office 2007.

While the method isn't entirely direct, it effectively provides the functionality to take screenshots using OneNote in older versions of the Office suite.

This ensures that users can easily document and share visual information regardless of their Office version.

Capturing Screen Content with OneNote's Clip Tool

The Clip tool, located on the OneNote toolbar, facilitates the copying of any screen area directly into OneNote as an image.

Initiating the tool transforms the screen into a semi-transparent white overlay.

Taking a Screenshot

A rectangular selection can then be created by dragging the mouse. This allows for capturing either a defined portion of the screen or the entire display.

Upon releasing the mouse button, the screenshot is automatically saved within a new, unfiled note in OneNote.

Alternatively, the screen clipping can be directly inserted into a designated notes page within OneNote.

OneNote automatically appends a timestamp to the screenshot upon insertion, providing a record of when the capture was made.

Using the Screenshot in Other Applications

Beyond OneNote, the captured image is also copied to the system Clipboard.

This enables seamless integration with other Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Simply open the desired application and utilize the Paste function to insert the screenshot at the current cursor position.

Cancelling the Clipping Operation

The screen clipping process can be cancelled at any time.

• Pressing the Esc key will abort the operation.
• Clicking anywhere outside the selection area will also cancel the screenshot capture.

Capturing Screenshots with the Clip Tool via Taskbar

To initiate a screen clipping, right-click the OneNote icon located within the taskbar's notification area. From the context menu, select the Create Screen Clipping option.

This action will activate the screen clipping tool, allowing you to capture a specific portion of your display.

How the Tool Functions

Similar to previous methods, the screen will be overlaid with a translucent white filter. This visual cue indicates that the tool is active and ready for use.

A rectangular selection area can then be drawn using your mouse. This defines the boundaries of the screenshot you wish to capture.

The selected area will be automatically copied to OneNote, preserving the visual information within the defined rectangle.

Note: The functionality remains consistent, providing a quick and efficient way to capture screen content directly into OneNote.

Capturing Screenshots with a Keyboard Shortcut

The quickest method for taking a screenshot in Office 2007 is generally considered to be utilizing the Windows key combined with the 'S' key. However, mouse interaction remains necessary to define the capture area.

This shortcut initiates the screen capture tool, allowing for selective screenshot creation. Users must then employ the mouse cursor to draw a rectangle around the desired portion of the screen.

Benefits of this Method

• Speed: It's a remarkably swift way to access the screenshot functionality.
• Precision: The drag-and-select feature enables precise control over the captured region.
• Accessibility: The keyboard combination is easy to remember and execute.

While other screenshot methods exist, this particular shortcut offers a balance of efficiency and control for Office 2007 users. The combination of keyboard and mouse input streamlines the process.

Understanding Your OneNote Screenshot Capabilities

For users who frequently capture screen images, utilizing the taskbar icon provides a convenient workflow. Should the taskbar icon be hidden from view, a straightforward adjustment within the Options menu can resolve this. Navigate to Tools - Options - Other, located under the Category section.

Simply enable the Place OneNote icon in the notification area of the taskbar checkbox to restore visibility.