Nanocellulose, the most abundantly renewable natural polymer material with excellent performance, has become one of the key points in nanotechnology research. Cellulose-based nanomaterials have excellent features such as superior chemical and electrochemical stability, excellent mechanical strength and stiffness, large surface area and light weight, as well as wide availability, renewability and biodegradability. The authors reviewed preparation of nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose and bacterial cellulose and summarized research progress in microcapsules applications. Future research and development of nanocellulose in practical microcapsules applications were also presented.