OneNote for iPad: Unable to extend text selection using touch handles

Michael Freidgeim 161 Reputation points
2026-02-03T21:50:41.65+00:00

In OneNote on iPad, text selection cannot be reliably extended once a single word is selected.

Steps to reproduce

  1. Open OneNote on iPad
  2. Tap into an existing text paragraph
  3. Double-tap a word to select it
  4. Attempt to drag the selection handles left or right to extend the selection

Expected result

Dragging the selection handles should extend or shrink the selection character-by-character, as in other iPadOS text editors.

Actual result

Selection does not extend, or the drag gesture is ignored / triggers page navigation instead. Cursor movement left/right is not possible after a word is selected.

Notes

  • Happens consistently across multiple notes
  • Occurs in text mode (not drawing mode)
  • Makes precise text editing difficult compared to other iPad apps
  • External keyboard selection shortcuts are inconsistent

Environment

  • OneNote for iPad (latest version at time of writing)
  • iPadOS (latest version at time of writing)

see also links about other people reporting the issue in [URL Removed]

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneNote | For home | iOS
Answer accepted by question author
Tarun Saini 130 Reputation points
2026-02-10T03:58:12.8566667+00:00

Latest update fixes the bug.. Although can't send copy of pages.. But rest is resolved

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  1. Alex-L 13,280 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-02-04T06:51:53.01+00:00

    Hi Michael Freidgeim

    Thanks for posting in the Microsoft Q&A Forum!

    I’m really sorry you’re running into this. Text‑selection issues on OneNote for iPad can be incredibly disruptive, especially when you rely on precise editing. A number of users have been reporting the same regression, so you’re not alone.

    Here are the two most important steps you can take right now:

    1. Report it directly in OneNote via Settings → Help & Support → Send Feedback
      This increases its visibility and helps the engineering team prioritize a fix.
    2. Watch for the next OneNote for iPad update

    I hope this gets resolved quickly for you, and I appreciate you taking the time to surface it.

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    4 people found this answer helpful.
  2. Josh Moore 15 Reputation points
    2026-02-05T21:41:20.2333333+00:00

    Same problem. This is definitely a bug in the latest app update.

    One small (partial) work around is that you can triple tap on a paragraph and it will select the whole paragraph. You still can't adjust the selection with the handles, but at least we can copy a paragraph that way.

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    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Chris D 5 Reputation points
    2026-02-10T08:35:08.29+00:00

    The fix on latest version this morning works for me too!

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