Applies ToOneNote for Microsoft 365 OneNote for the web OneNote 2024 OneNote 2021 OneNote for Windows 10 OneNote 2016 OneNote for iOS Immersive Reader

Immersive Reader, included in OneNote Learning Tools, is a full screen reading experience to increase readability of content in OneNote documents. Learning Tools is designed to support students with dyslexia and dysgraphia in the classroom but can support anyone who wants to make reading on their device easier.

  1. To use Immersive Reader in OneNote, open OneNote and select View > Immersive Reader. Icon for Immersive Reader

  2. To hear the paragraphs read out loud, select Play.

  3. To listen from a certain point on your page, select that word.

Immersive Reader has several options to make it easier for you to read text from OneNote.

Text options

The Text options menu lets you:

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Parts of speech

Parts of Speech controls grammar highlighting and helps readers understand complex sentences. Learn more: Highlight parts of speech.​​​​​​​

Grammar options in Immersive Reader

Reading preferences

Use Line Focus, Picture Dictionary, Translate, and Reading Coach for better focus and reading comprehension!

Screenshot of the reading preferences pane of immersive reader, showing options for line focus, picture dictionary, translation, and Reading Coach.

Line Focus enables readers to narrow the focus of their reading experience by highlighting sets of one, three, or five lines within their chosen material in Immersive Reader. Learn more: Turn on Line Focus

This feature is currently available in OneNote for Windows 10, OneNote for the web, Word for the web, and Outlook Online. 

Picture Dictionary gives you the ability to select any word, hear it read out loud, and see an image depicting the word.

Translate lets you change the text you're reading from one language to another.

Reading Coach ​​​​​​​allows you to practice reading out loud, provides a report on your reading speed and accuracy, then identifies the five words you struggled with most and provides a supported opportunity to practice the words again.  ​​​​​​​

screenshot of the student view of reading coach showing the 5 words a student was most challenged by with the cursor hovering over the word "carefully"

screenshot of data from a reading Coach session, accuracy, time spent reading, correct words per minute, and the number of words to practice is shown.

Voice options

Control Read Aloud settings by modifying the speed and voice of the speaker in Voice Options. Learn more: Change the voice in Immersive Reader

Select Voice settings Word web Immersive reader voice settings button icon to adjust.

Shortcut keys for Immersive Reader

Use keyboard shortcuts to navigate.

  • Up/down arrow scrolls line by line

  • Page up/page down scrolls screen by screen

  • Left/right arrow goes to previous/next page in your OneNote Notebook

  • Esc key closes the reader or menu

  • Tab advances to the next control in Immersive Reader settings

  • Space selects the current tool

Learn more

Transform speech to text in OneNote

Change text size

Basic tasks in OneNote for Mac

Troubleshooting: Nothing happens when I press play in Immersive Reader

Additional resources for educators

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