This book scrupulously avoids computerese, computerspeak, and nerd-talk. You will not scratch your head or grimace over computer jargon as you read this book.

For each task, you get a quick overview and the background information you need to proceed wisely. Then, you plunge right in. You get concise, step-by-step instructions for completing the task. And each set of instructions is accompanied by screenshots that show you precisely how to do the task and where to do it in OneNote.

Occasionally, you encounter a “See Also” element that refers you to a task similar to the one being described. You also find “Tips” that offer shortcuts and other useful advice. When you need to tread softly or carefully, you find a “Caution” element explaining why caution is the order of the day.

More often than not, you can accomplish the same task in OneNote 2013 by using different methods. For example, you can create a table with the Insert Table dialog box or the Table drop-down menu.

Because there aren’t enough pages in this book to cover all the ways to complete each task, I sometimes cover the easiest way only. In this book, if I can’t be comprehensive and describe every technique, I choose the path of least resistance—the one that is easiest for you to follow.

This book is your guide to getting the most from OneNote. It’s jam-packed with how-to’s, advice, shortcuts, and tips. Here is a bare outline of what you’ll find:

Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 get you up and running. They explain the basics of creating, opening, and navigating notebooks. They also show you how to create the sections, section groups, pages, and page groups you need to organize and store notes.

Chapter 4 explains the nitty-gritty of OneNote: how to write a note; format, move, and copy text; and create bulleted and numbered lists.

Chapter 5 describes advanced note-taking, including how to write outlines, insert pictures and screen clippings in notes, attach a file and file printout to a note, write math equations, and take audio and video notes. You also find out how to jot down a quick note and place it later on into a notebook.

Chapter 6 explains all you need to know about formatting and laying out tables, including how to create an Excel spreadsheet in a note and how to convert a OneNote table into an Excel spreadsheet.

Chapter 7 is all about linking. It explores how to create links between different notebooks, sections, and pages; how to hyperlink to webpages and files; and how to take linked notes.

Chapter 8 describes all the things that you can do to make working with OneNote easier, including how to minimize the ribbon, Notebooks pane, and page tabs; how to dock OneNote; and how to change screen views.

Chapter 9 takes on the spelling checker, including how to check the spelling of foreign text. Chapter 10 explains how to draw notes with lines, free-form lines, and shapes. Chapter 11 describes tagging and other ways to organize notes, such as moving and copying. Chapter 12 explores how to search for stray notes.

Chapter 13 explains housecleaning chores, including how to delete and restore sections and pages and how to back up a notebook. Chapter 14 shows how to use the Research pane to investigate topics and translate foreign-language text.

Chapter 15 looks at distributing notes by printing them as well as sending them by email, and how to save OneNote pages, sections, and notebooks in alternate file formats. Chapter 16 explores how to use OneNote and Microsoft Outlook 2013 to handle tasks, calendar events, meetings, and contact information.

Chapter 17 describes how to share notebooks and how to find and read notes written by your coauthors. Chapter 18 explains how to customize the ribbon and the Quick Access Toolbar to make yourself a more efficient user of OneNote.

Chapter 19 delves into OneNote Web App, the online version of OneNote, and how you can use it to collaborate with others when taking notes.

Pardon me, but I made a few assumptions about you, the reader of this book.

I assumed that you are experienced enough with computers to know the basics: how to turn the thing on and what “click” and “double-click” mean, for example. I assumed that Microsoft Office 2013 (OneNote is part of the Office 2013 suite) is already installed on your computer.