Microsoft is gearing up to introduce a new feature in OneNote called Copilot, which will revolutionize how users interact with handwritten notes. This functionality recently entered beta testing and promises to enhance productivity by reading and analyzing handwritten notes using artificial intelligence.

Copilot in OneNote will enable users to write notes with a stylus and then perform various actions such as summarizing content, generating to-do lists, and asking questions based on the notes. A significant advancement, the AI-powered Copilot can even convert handwritten notes into editable text, facilitating easier sharing and editing. Initially launched in November, this upgrade will soon be accessible to existing Copilot for Microsoft 365 subscribers and Copilot Pro users once it undergoes broader rollout.

Personal testing of Copilot has been promising. It effectively reads and interprets handwritten notes, regardless of their size, accurately summarizing small notes and larger paragraphs alike. When tasked with rewriting a paragraph of handwritten notes, Copilot successfully formatted it into coherent, readable text while maintaining the essence of the original notes—an impressive feat considering the typical challenges faced by generative AI models.

For users who rely on OneNote for handwritten to-do lists, this feature streamlines the process of converting them into digital text effortlessly. In practical tests, Copilot swiftly and accurately converted handwritten lists into text format within seconds, demonstrating its practical utility for everyday tasks.

However, uncertainties remain about Copilot’s ability to handle extremely poor handwriting. Similar features in other platforms, like Samsung’s Galaxy AI, have struggled with exceptionally messy handwriting in the past, highlighting potential limitations that Microsoft may need to address.

To access Copilot’s handwritten note recognition capabilities, users must be Microsoft 365 Insiders using the latest OneNote version on Windows (build 17628.20006 or newer) and possess a Copilot Pro or Copilot for Microsoft 365 subscription. This requirement ensures access to cutting-edge features and early testing opportunities within the OneNote ecosystem.

Overall, Microsoft’s integration of Copilot in OneNote represents a significant step forward in leveraging AI to enhance productivity and usability in digital note-taking. As development progresses and broader availability ensues, users can expect further refinements and expanded capabilities from this innovative tool.