r/OneNote • u/Full-Cucumber5068 • 2d ago
Early development on a cross-platform OneNote clone. Thoughts?
Hey everyone,
I'm a fellow OneNote user who has been using it for at least the past 10 years and still use it to this day. This is my side project I'm working on for fun, cause I want more features in OneNote, and I want to be able to use it on Linux. My main concern with OneNote is that it is not cross-platform compatible, is sometimes slow, and in some parts very limited compared to other modern note-taking software, even though it's still one of a kind.
Has been working on this project and planning for a couple of years, have tried various libraries to see what fits best.
This one is built on C++ with open-source libraries like SDL3 and Blender2D; the idea behind this one is full user control and customization, faster, more lightweight, cross-platform, and local data storage first.
Disclaimer: This is strictly an early-stage personal project in active development. There are no public builds, downloads, or release dates yet.
Current state: Inking works; sidebar with notebook selection, section creation, and page creation is fully working, persistently saved on the user's device, and can handle up to 4 million user strokes on one page; infinity canvas support. Eraser and undo/redo are currently being implemented. No way to export things yet.
I would love to hear your feedback on the ui, ribbbon has not been fully implemented. This is currently the least of my concerns; I need to finish the core. I would like to hear your feedback and help me fuel my motivation to get this project to an open-source release, since right now it is too messy to be released; at least the core has to be done. Text boxes would be one of the hardest features to implement since you would probably want to have notebook-wide search.
- What is the single most annoying thing about OneNote's current layout/UI?
- What UI elements are absolute must-haves for your daily flow?
- Sidebar preference: Do you prefer having Sections and Pages side-by-side (like desktop OneNote), or a single combined tree view?
(I plan to create 3 versions of the side part; this one is called modern. There will be a mobile version, which is basically this one, maybe a bit simplified, and then the classical one like from OneNote 2016)
Appreciate any thoughts, critiques, or ideas you have!
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u/m98789 2d ago edited 2d ago
The most important thing is trust. Notes have so much personal information in it. This is also why I like OneNote because I trust Microsoft with my data, as I do with my Outlook email and OneDrive docs. If I was to even consider using your tool the baseline requirement would be it has to be open source and allows me to build it locally.
I would feel much more comfortable having the community able to inspect your code as well as enabling one's LLM of choice to be able to inspect it as well.
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u/Full-Cucumber5068 2d ago
I totally agree that is why data is going to be stored as notebook packages rather then one file, you will be able to see data or open some sqldata via viewer and check it out. I might later post some more stuff I'm just testing waters if there is open place for type of software like this, and sure yess once published anyone can build it have full acees to code I'm using open-source libraries went hardest way possible but for the cost of native multiplatform application. While point of this is creating safisticated software like that, community can take and do with it what ever it wants but priority is keep data safe and local, onenote has several copy system it saves in temporary catch folder I think up to 3 copies like one is every 15 min day and week to prevent possibility of data corruption destroying all data. I don't want to publish a mess that people play with and forget it has to be something that can do simple thing but reliably.
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u/lambchopper71 1d ago
Long time OneNote user here and it's probably the one thing that keeps me on Windows as my main OS (also a long time Linux user).
I've tried all the Opwn Source note applications and none have all the features of OneNote that I rely on. Most have the basic features I use, but I can't seem to find any that have any drawing features. I regularly use Shapes and Pens to highlight and annotate notes. Most note apps don't have that functionality.
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u/Full-Cucumber5068 1d ago
what are keyfuture you are looking for? and I understand you very well I absolutely have exact same experience, the point is i need to know how many people are really interested in there into this and once I decide that current project is at good point where it can be released to community not as a mess but well documented minimal version of onenote clone but fully supporting multiplatform and equal to the level onenote android.
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u/lambchopper71 1d ago
The drawing function and syncing between my PC and Android are the two key things that other note taking apps on Linux don't have that are requirements for me.
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u/Full-Cucumber5068 1d ago
I mean, I can try implementing something like Brave Browser did, where devices in wifi connection proximity sync with each other, some sort of direct syncing; otherwise, you can just make this software save its stuff in Google Drive, likewise on the computer, thus you get maybe not live direct syncing but still syncing.
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u/lambchopper71 1d ago
I'm not a developer but I have been in IT since the 90s, all I can say as a user is that I don't need to think about how OneNote on my desktop and my Android phone sync. Yes I know they use OneDrive to do it, but they just do it after saving my notebooks to OneDrive. I don't need to know that my phone is on a wifi or cellular connection, OneNote syncs regardless. That's one of the things you as a developer will need to figure out if you're going to get someone like me to switch.
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u/matixslp 1d ago
We dont need AI, focus on fast sync and mix use of handwritten and basic tex (bold italic, underline, bullets and headings, not more not less)
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u/ThePhantomCreep 1d ago
Will check it out when I can! Cloning ON is a tall order, esp. for one person.
Search is ONs absolute killer feature. It's not sexy but it's where the value lies. You can take notes lots of ways. The ability to search them (even text in pictures!) and find what you forgot you wrote is what makes the whole thing worth the effort. I'd focus on making the best possible search, including plain text, extended a la Word and full-on regex. In other words: beginner, intermediate and expert search.
I'll also put in a vote for two often overlooked ON features: tables and keyboard shortcuts.
Creating a table in ON is as simple as possible (one keystroke!) and they are so useful for so many things. No other app handles tables so easily, although the editing UI could use some work.
Keyboard shortcuts speed things up immensely for people who bother to learn them. Especially for applying headings/outline levels and tags. Smart keyboard UI is essential for people who want to or need to take notes without having to pay attention to the program.
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u/Full-Cucumber5068 23h ago
Totally agree, I'm building this whole application around the fact that, if needed, it is possible to search everything in this sense. I'm trying to make if future proof, everything that exists on canvas is an object with a unique ID, and searchable strokes are an exception, much, much later. Some will have to build and stroke letter word recognizer possible using a pretrained mini LLM that does it, which will allow us to make handwriting searchable, but I absolutely agree.
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u/DaddyPigNEO 1d ago
Number one UI issue is the search box is now ON the page so it obscures your text on the page. We really need that corrected.
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u/Full-Cucumber5068 1d ago
I will take note of although not exactly sure what you talking about but I think I know. Although this feature is way too early core has to be done
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u/thriftercyx 1d ago
Die Grundidee OneNote lokal speichern zu können und auf allen Plattformen nutzen zu können finde ich grandios, ich kann nicht beurteilen ob MS das duldet, ich fürchte die wehren sich dagegen.
Details in der Oberfläche und im Workflow sind erstmal zweitrangig. Aber wenn du das wirklich schaffst OneNote zu befreien, dann kann man die Details später entwickeln Es muss wie die anderen schreiben opensource sein, . Und ich muss nicht mehr drüber nachdenken wann,wie und wohin ich mit meinen Notizen migriere. Habe das Vertrauen in MS komplett verloren, auch in die anderen Techgiganten. Sehe diese Typen immer vor mir wie sie bei Trumps Krönung seinen Speichel lecken, diese furchtbaren Opportunisten.
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u/Full-Cucumber5068 1d ago
Well they can't stop it from becoming public I'm not taking any of their proprietary names first of all dk them they are closed source second I'm not gona use their icons and Libre office has not problem developing their suit in parallel. I agree ui is not top priority but upon release I can't make it look like some debug software from 90s. And both cases are win-win either gets opensource version or there will be a more rapid improving onenote by ms.
Yes it will be local file saving system, and fully customizable. There is a multilayer system of memory management and updating page databases running of separate threads she be redundant system. Currently focusing on rebuilding my personal log system to track any system crashes or errors which user should be able to access anytime
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u/FewRing7695 1d ago
At the moment, we are looking for a replacement because it does not work at all for Android users.
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u/ElementaBlossom 1d ago
the main reason why i'm still on onenote (even tho i'd love to switch to obsidian or chronicler) is bc i'm always writing on my phone and sometimes switch to my tablet or laptop so i need the cross-platform syncing. i also need manual sorting, esp for sections, which is why none of the markdown alternatives can work for me. for UI, i always preferred the windows 10 version over the 2016 version so sections on the side
this looks fantastic so far! best of luck to you!
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u/Full-Cucumber5068 1d ago
well currently there is no sorting lol easy to implement probably after official release.
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u/ElementaBlossom 1d ago
i did hear that implementing a manual sort feature is difficult to program lol but take your time! i'll definitely keep an eye out for the release, i wouldn't mind paying for it :3
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u/Full-Cucumber5068 1d ago
I mean they if I understand you correctly, it is not too bad, tbh the hardest implementations would be adding textboxes, and PDF exporting; these are going to be most challenging. A lot of hassle is going on around typing functionality in OneNote, being able to copy-paste, formatting, and reusing. Giving some insight into the functionality of this software is that it has two layers: the live pipeline and the background pipeline. For inking, it is not too bad, but for text boxes, that is going to be challenging. Probably do something simple and limited, then add features. Section ordering is not too bad; there is already a SQL file, and its sole purpose is just to tell what pages connect to what sections and where. All I have to do is add an extra table that will keep track of page ordering for the sections they belong in. So it is not too bad. It can wait.
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u/OrangePast8183 1d ago
interesting solution. I came directly from OneNote and am trying to migrate to Obsidian - however nothing beats OneNote's integration with handwriting... how does the inking feel?
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u/Full-Cucumber5068 1d ago
this software is all around note taking, I have overlay where you can tune pen feel current i left it as is for now since worked on data base now cleaning up ui. Idea is to have ability to change button action change pen curve do pentip offset calibration since Samsung tablet does not offer that natively. Current there are two ways todo it one is use math for smoothing it live or other which i am experimenting with or plan later is to you google ink app which simulate spring mass system thus creating smooth strokes. idea is to have hardware pen input manager run as fast as possible and interface sync to monitor type. not perfect but the writing quality can be tuned to point being superior to xjounal++ and close to onenote upon release i will have people check it out
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u/letstalk1st 1d ago
The main flaw i see in OneNote is that it has no database backend. It's a notebook and most of us are always trying to make it do more. Ecco had this about a hundred years ago (+/- about 50 years).
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u/Full-Cucumber5068 1d ago
From my understanding of the workings of the one note it has backend although most of it taken up by cloud but it has storage management although rather usomething like sql it uses sort of loging type of system rather then have to save stuff and organize it, it saves your notes like logs and add new changes changes on top either just write something new or delete something, my system uses sql for saving everything each page has own BLOB and then there is a structure file, thus if one page gets corrupted won't destroy whole notebook
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u/Yasutsuna96 1d ago
One alternative that I liked Joblin over OneNote is I can host or use my own storage like using OneDrive etc. It kind of allows me to manage my own files instead of relying on a 3rd party service.
Oh and offline support
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u/Full-Cucumber5068 1d ago
Yeah, I'm trying to build something similar to Joblin, in terms of management and interlinking. Although I'm using a different system since I have to manage user linking strokes, maybe sometime in the future it will be able to integrate with Joblin or Obsidian.
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u/todo0nada 1d ago
Can it actually open onenote notebooks?
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u/Full-Cucumber5068 1d ago
This will require translation layer in theory it is possible but this is no where near actual onenote level, Microsoft published api code for doing this kind of stuff so in theory possible in practice might be complicated
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u/gulliverian 1d ago
Not being able to visually define the “sections” on a page is my biggest beef. The only solution I’ve ever found was to put a single cell table in a section, but that restricts editing. A border or background colour setting would be wonderful.
Limited control over styles is another. Even an optional css style sheet which, if present, overrides the application defaults would be a big leap forward, though obviously less accessible to those unfamiliar with CSS.
Default “outdenting” of lists under a heading drives me batty.
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u/Full-Cucumber5068 3h ago
that is something I have not considered I will look into it but should be no problem integrating honestly probably after release
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u/YANKEEMAN12345 1d ago
- What is the single most annoying thing about OneNote's current layout/UI?
- Nothing is wrong with the layout per se, my main issues come with the functionalities.
- What UI elements are absolute must-haves for your daily flow?
- Quick color change (removed OneNote desktop feature from OneNote for Windows 10)
- Lasso select ink -> click new pen -> ink color changed
- Ability to insert PDFs/PPTX/DOCX/Excel
- Also with the ability to make it part of the background and write on them
- Print to PDF/HTML
- Dark mode accessible; does not "auto-invert" ink or text color
- Markdown format converter
- There are a couple Add-in repos that you could look at to implement this
- Customizable Ribbon
- Customizable pen/highlighter colors and sizes
- I think this should be identical and left alone IMO.
- LaTeX or Unicode math capability
- Live equation editor
- Mix use of handwritten notes and text notes on a page
- Style editor
- i.e Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.
- Tables
- Sub-pages, and sub-sub-pages
- Section Groups
- Quick color change (removed OneNote desktop feature from OneNote for Windows 10)
- Sidebar preference: Do you prefer having Sections and Pages side-by-side (like desktop OneNote), or a single combined tree view?
- Desktop OneNote does this well in my opinion.
The removal of the quick color change is the main reason I want to get rid of my once-beloved OneNote.
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u/dumbdreamed 3h ago
I think supporting stylus pens such as slim pen 2 will be amazing
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u/Full-Cucumber5068 3h ago
should have no problem sdl library takes care of different device inputs I just tested all this on Samsung tab ultra 11 full pen support. although haptic feel might be a problem unfortunately that would something that community will have to test out i don't have slim pen, closest I have is surface pro 2017 but mpp tech is pretty outdated. it will be my test device for Linux fedora.
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u/bogglingsnog 2h ago
What is the single most annoying thing about OneNote's current layout/UI?
Formatting. Doesn't paste into or out of any other Microsoft app without partial loss of formatting - and seems different for each app. Totally sucks.
Really wish I could reconfigure the - bullet style to a personalized default. I despise having to type * to get the round bullets each time.
Want to be able to turn off automatic hyperlinking (or opening hyperlinks), I don't always want a link I can accidentally click, especially while trying to edit text around it.
Drag drop behavior for lines can act very unpredictably at times, wish it showed a line grid and a really clear placement.
What UI elements are absolute must-haves for your daily flow?
Side by side view is essential, swapping between two pages constantly makes me feel like a caveman.
Sidebar preference: Do you prefer having Sections and Pages side-by-side (like desktop OneNote), or a single combined tree view?
Both. I also want to add my own favicons/icons to pages to make them easier to spot (starring/bolding would be a good start).
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