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How to Copy and Paste with the Lasso Tool in OneNote
Quick Answer
If you cannot paste after using the lasso tool in OneNote, this is a known OneNote software bug, not a problem with your device or planner. The fix takes under a minute and is shown in the video above. Watch the full 58-second walkthrough, then check the full write-up below for the step-by-step text version.
The lasso tool in OneNote is one of the most useful features for digital planning -- it lets you select handwritten content, move it, copy it, and paste it anywhere on the page. But a lot of users hit a wall where the paste function simply stops working after making a lasso selection. The content is copied, but nothing happens when you try to paste. This video fixes that in under a minute.
Branden published this fix in June 2023 after seeing the issue come up repeatedly in the Key2Success community. The problem is a OneNote software behavior that affects users across iPad, Windows, and Android -- it is not related to any specific planner template or device setup. The fix he demonstrates bypasses the bug and gets you back to moving and copying handwritten notes without restarting the app or losing your work.
For a written version of the fix with screenshots, check out the full post at How to Fix the OneNote Lasso Paste Issue. If you are new to using OneNote for digital planning, Branden's OneNote basics tutorial covers the full setup from scratch.
Video Transcript
This short video demonstrates the fix for a common OneNote issue where the paste function stops working after using the lasso tool to select content. Branden Bodendorfer opens by acknowledging the problem: you select handwritten text or drawings with the lasso tool, copy it, and then the paste option either does not appear or does nothing when tapped.
He explains that this is a known behavior in the OneNote app and not something caused by the user's planner template or device. The video then shows the specific steps to work around the issue and successfully copy and paste lasso-selected content to a new location within the same page or a different page in the notebook.
The fix is demonstrated on iPad but applies to other platforms where the same issue occurs. The video is intentionally brief -- the fix itself takes only a few taps once you know the correct sequence. For users who prefer a written reference, a full step-by-step blog post is linked in the video description.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I paste after using the lasso tool in OneNote?
This is a known issue with OneNote software, not a problem with your planner or device. The lasso tool sometimes fails to enable the paste function after selecting content. The fix shown in this video resolves the issue without needing to restart OneNote or lose your work.
How do you copy and paste with the lasso tool in OneNote?
Select your content with the lasso tool, then use the specific copy method shown in the video rather than the standard paste shortcut. This bypasses the OneNote paste bug and lets you move or duplicate handwritten content correctly.
Does the lasso paste bug affect all versions of OneNote?
The lasso tool paste issue has been reported across multiple OneNote versions including the iPad app. It is a software-level behavior in OneNote, not related to any specific planner template or device setting.
What is the lasso tool in OneNote used for?
The lasso tool in OneNote lets you select handwritten text, drawings, or mixed content by drawing a free-form selection around it. Once selected, you can move, copy, resize, or delete the content. It is especially useful in digital planners for rearranging handwritten notes on the page.
Can I use the lasso tool in OneNote on iPad?
Yes. The lasso tool works in OneNote on iPad with Apple Pencil. You draw a loop around the content you want to select, then use the tool options to copy, move, or delete it. The paste bug fix shown in this video applies to the iPad version as well.
Is this lasso paste issue specific to Key2Success planners?
No. The lasso tool paste issue is a OneNote software bug that affects all users, regardless of which planner template they use. The fix works for any OneNote notebook, not just the Key2Success digital planner.
Fix the OneNote Lasso Paste Issue: Steps
- Watch the 58-second video above -- the fix is demonstrated from start to finish.
- In OneNote, use the lasso tool to select the handwritten content you want to copy.
- Follow the exact copy method shown in the video (not the standard paste shortcut).
- Paste the content to the desired location on your page.
- If the issue keeps coming up, bookmark the written fix guide for quick reference.
Want the Full Written Fix with Screenshots?
The step-by-step blog post covers the same fix in text format with visuals -- useful if you need to reference it while working in OneNote.
Read the Full Fix Guide
