Microsoft might receive complaints about some of its products and decisions. One thing’s for sure: their OneNote is the program of choice for many computers and laptop users. Thinking of using it soon and you’re looking for a good OneNote tutorial? We have a couple of options for you. Pick one and start making the most out of this useful feature.
What Is OneNote?
VLOOKUP for Dummies (or newbies) VLOOKUP is a powerful and handy excel function. At the same time, it is one of the least understood functions and can often break. Today we’ll try to explain VLOOKUP for newbies in the simplest possible way. We’ll also provide formula examples of the function’s most typical usage. Go modern with SharePoint. The modern experience in SharePoint is designed to be compelling, flexible and faster. The modern experience makes it easier for anyone to create beautiful, dynamic sites and pages that are mobile-ready.
OneNote is a computer program developed by Microsoft and released in 2003. There have been several versions throughout the year, depending on your device’s operating system. They’re the following: OneNote 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016.
The operating systems that support OneNote are these:
- Microsoft Windows.
- OS X.
- Android.
- iOS.
- Windows Phone.
OneNote 2007 is the only version that offers simultaneous editing in Dropbox and OneDrive. Also, you won’t be locked out of shared documents if you’re doing your work at the same time with others. There’s a Windows Store version of OneNote and it works with Windows RT and Windows 8 smoothly.
Two years ago, Mac users have been able to use the program on their devices. Windows 2010 was released last year with an integrated OneNote.
The program is useful if you want to take quick notes or keep a diary. Below is a list of the most useful OneNote tutorials to get you started.
How-To Geek

The guys over at How-To Geek have many great tutorials. They cover almost every topic you can think of and their tips and tricks come in handy if you have problems. The OneNote tutorial we found on their website is meant for Windows 10 users.
As you all know, this version came with major change. You’ll get a bit of getting used to if you’re still accustomed to the previous operating system. OneNote is one of many programs that received a makeover. The tutorial is of great help since its author walks you through different topics. You’ll learn the following:
- Manage pages.
- Create and edit notes.
- Familiarize with the most common buttons.
- Work with the program’s many Settings.
- Share notes with others (only if you want to).
Lynda
If you’re not satisfied with the tutorials on How-To Geek, you can use the ones on Lynda.com. They offer plenty of good information on the 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016 versions of OneNote.
Users of Mac 2011 will be happy to know that there’s a tutorial online for them. It covers everything there is to know about the software.
PC World

The tutorials you’ll discover on PC World are some of the best on the Internet. The website reviews different gadgets every day. It also teaches beginners many things about programs like the OneNote.
The explanations they give in their post are for absolute beginners. You’re welcome to use it if you’re the kind who takes a lot of notes for work or at home. They talk about the basics and design of OneNote, as well as all the things you can use it for. OneNote for the iPhone 6 Plus and Mac are also discussed. The latter isn’t as powerful as the version for Windows. The author then talks about OneNote for your Android smartphone.
NDSU
The University of North Dakota offers many tutorials for free on their official site. One of them introduces you to OneNote 2007. If you click the link above, you’ll be redirected to a 45-page OneNote tutorial.
Users who’ve just updated from the 2003 version will find the transition smooth. You’ll get familiar with the basics, find out what you can use it for, and much more. Each section comes with both text and colorful images so you can learn about the OneNote in a fun way.
WonderHowTo
A video tutorial is perhaps better for some of you. If that’s the case, we recommend the YouTube one offered by WonderHowTo. It might seem too short, but it’s filled with a lot of tips and tricks.
By the end of it, you’ll know how to take notes, add an image or a video recording, and so on. Organizing your ideas and plans will become easier.
If you’re using Windows 2010 or the 2013 version, we have other useful tutorials for you below.

Beginner Geek
Remember the How-To Geek post from earlier? The guys are back, this time with another OneNote tutorial. Thinking of going back to OneNote 2010? You’ll need something extra special to properly navigate this program. Which, by the way, comes with MS Office 2010. The Starter edition doesn’t incorporate it.
The OneNote 2010 will feel a whole lot different when you compare it to the newest version. It is, however, easier to navigate. The tutorial shows you how to do it with easy to follow images. When you’re done with the information, you’ll know how to work with the software.
Virginia Tech
If you’re looking for another university lecture on the program, Virginia Tech has a PDF OneNote tutorial. You get 20 pages at your disposal to learn all the dos and don’ts. Each chapter contains an explanatory text and colorful images. This will make it easier for beginners to remember the lessons.
Ever wanted an alternative to Notepad and other note-taking software? Microsoft came up with a useful program 13 years ago. They called it OneNote. If you’ve browsed online for a OneNote tutorial but didn’t find a good one, we have just the thing. Each of them is easy to understand and you’ll be able to use the program right away.
Quick Start Guide
Looking for the sort of OneNote tutorial that lets you get accustomed to a new program in under 30 minutes? Microsoft has an Office support page that beginners should use. The guide is free, just like the others we mentioned before. It works for both Windows 7 and Windows 8.
To have the information at your fingertips, go to the image under the title and click on it. The guide will then be downloaded to your computer. Consult it when you have the time and use what you learn to make the OneNote experience valuable.
OneNote 2013 Videos and Tutorials
If you want the longer version, the same website has put together an extensive list of guides. Only this time around, you get both the written version and videos. Combine the two and the whole learning experience will become enjoyable.
The tutorials are for beginners and intermediate users. The newbies have 10 lessons to look at while the second category is offered 2 lessons. Each course is worth a read. Once you have a basic or intermediate understanding, your experience will become much better.
OneNote 2013 for Dummies
Learning something new can make you feel less smart than usual. The OneNote 2013 for Dummies has a long list of topics that give you your confidence back. Some of them are called “How to Password-Protect Sections in OneNote 2013” and “How to Insert Data from Office Apps in OneNote 2013.”
There are 25 lessons in total on the website. After you reach the end, you’ll finally be able to put them to good use.
It can be really hard to find the perfect OneNote tutorial. We came across 5 of the best ones and we added another 5 to the mix. Beginners and intermediate OneNote users will learn a lot of valuable skills in a short time!
Image source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
VLOOKUP is a powerful and handy excel function. At the same time, it is one of the least understood functions and can often break. Today we’ll try to explain VLOOKUP for newbies in the simplest possible way. We’ll also provide formula examples of the function’s most typical usage.
If you want to skip the text and head straight for a video tutorial, take a look at this Top Ten Formulas and Functions in Excel tutorial that we held.
Excel VLOOKUP Function – Syntax and Primary uses
What is VLOOKUP?
VLOOKUP is a function that searches for the value you specify. The result returns a matching value from another column. To be more technical, you choose a range, and VLOOKUP looks up the value in the first column. The result it returns is a value from the same row of another column.
The letter “V” in VLOOKUP stands for“vertical.” It is there to differentiate from the function HLOOKUP,where the “H” stands for horizontal. HLOOKUP is different thatVLOOKUP only in the way that it looks up a value in a row rather than a column.
All versions of Microsoft Excel have the VLOOKUP function available.
VLOOKUP Syntax
The VLOOKUP syntax looks like this:
VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
The VLOOKUP function has four arguments. The first three arerequired, and the last one is optional.
The easiest way to describe it is this:
- Lookup_value – what you want to lookup
- Table_array – where you want to look for it
- Col_index_num- the range containing the value to return
- [range_lookup]- returns an approximate or exact match
VLOOKUP Example 1
In this example, we have a list of fruit in column A, andthe amounts of them in column B. Now imagine having hundreds of items in A andB, and you need to find a specific one.
You do that with VLOOKUP. Let’s find the amount of Apples on this list.
What can we see from the formula used?
=VLOOKUP(A8;A2:B5;2;FALSE)
Syntax is this
VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num,[range_lookup])
The first argument is lookup_value, and it’s Apples in cellA8.
The second argument is the table_array, and we choseeverything from A2 to B5.
The third argument is col_index_num, and we entered “w” because that is the second column in the array.
The fourth argument is [range_lookup], and we entered FALSE,which returns an exact match. Because this argument is optional, if you leaveit empty, the default value will be TRUE, and that is the approximate value.
The result ended up being 50, which we can see, is correct.
VLOOKUP Example 2
In example 2, we’ll try to find the first name of an employee. We know his last name but not his first. In a company with hundreds and thousands of employees, VLOOKUP can be quite useful in finding specific information in this scenario.
Just by looking, we know that we used the VLOOKUP correctlyand returned the first name as Olivier.
=VLOOKUP(B3;B2:E7;2;FALSE)
looking at what we did in this formula.
The first argument, lookup_value is B3, we could havemanually entered “Fontana” because that was the information we know, but simplyclicking on B3 was faster.
The second argument, the table_array, is everything from B2TO E7.
The third argument, col_index_num, is the number of thecolumn we want to search for. Because we need the first name, we’ll enternumber 2. If we wanted to find out the title of the employee, we’d type innumber 3 because that is the third column in the table_array.
The fourth argument is [range_lookup], and we entered FALSE, which returns an exact match.
VLOOKUP Example 3
For the third example on how to use VLOOKUP, we want to find out what the last name is of the person with ID number 106 is.
=VLOOKUP(A7;A2:E7;2;FALSE)
So what did we do in this VLOOKUP formula?
The first argument is A7 since we are looking for the ID106.
The second argument, the table_array, is everything from A2TO E7.
The third argument is the number of the column. The last nameis in the second column, so we entered number 2.
And the fourth argument we put FALSE to get an exact match.
We can see that we correctly used the VLOOKUP function and got the correct last name, which is Souse.
Excel Tips on the VLOOKUP Function
- The VLOOKUP function cannot look to its left. It always searches the leftmost column of the table_array and returns a value from the column from the right.
- Keep in mind that the VLOOKUP function is not case-insensitive. That means lowercase and uppercase letters are treated as the same.
- Don’t forget the fourth argument, which is TRUE for approximate match and FALSE for an exact match. If you don’t enter anything, the default value is TRUE. The TRUE value will first look for an exact match, and if it can’t find it, it will then look for the next largest value that is less than the lookup value.
- Data in a column needs to be sorted in ascending order when searching for TRUE (approximate match)
- You will get the result #N/A error if the lookup value is not found.
Using Wildcards (?,*) in VLOOKUP Formula
Like in most of excel functions, wildcards are available forVLOOKUP as well.
- To match any single character, the question mark “?” is used .
- The asterisk “*” is used to match any sequence of characters.
Imagine you can’t remember the exact text you are looking for, or maybe you are looking for a text string that is part of the cell contents. That’s when you use wildcards.
VLOOKUP Wildcard Example 1
In a case where you have a list of hundreds of employees,and you want to find out the particular salary of someone who you can’tremember exactly. You know his name begins with an “ack.”
Let’s search in the database.
=VLOOKUP(I2&”*”;A2:B10;1;FALSE)
What did we do in this VLOOKUP formula?
Onenote For Dummies 2016 Pdf
The first argument we clicked on I2, which is “ack” becausewe know the last name starts with those three letters. And then we added&”*”.
& – stands for, and the asterisk searches for everythingafter the ack.
The second argument is the table array, where we enteredeverything from A2 to B10.
The third argument is the column we want to return. Since wewant to return the last name, that is column 1, and we entered 1.
Onenote For Dummies Pdf

Just like always, we want the exact match, so we enteredFALSE as the fourth argument.
Just by looking, we can see that we used the VLOOKUPfunction correctly and got the correct result.
To return the salary, we can use the same formula and only change the third argument. That is what column to return. Since the salary is in the second column, we enter 2 as the third argument.
=VLOOKUP(I3&”*”;A3:B11;2;FALSE).
If you are looking up data horizontally, instead of vertically, then you need to perform exactly the same as the above, but use HLOOKUP instead of VLOOKUP.
Both VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP work in the same way!
To see VLOOKUP in action, take a look at the following videos:
Take a look at the VLOOKUP killer released by Microsoft – XLOOKUP.
There are so many great resources written on VLOOKUP. One of our favorites is this list of 23 things you should know about VLOOKUP.
To check out the range of Excel courses on Simon Sez IT, go here.
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