SharePoint Document Issues

Fix Missing OneNote Sections After Moving a SharePoint Notebook

Rana Garcia Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to see newly created OneNote sections after a notebook is moved to a new SharePoint location.

Fix Missing OneNote Sections After Moving a SharePoint Notebook

Product: Microsoft OneNote, SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Collaborating on a shared OneNote notebook that was recently relocated to a different SharePoint folder.
Observed behavior: Colleagues can open the notebook, but any sections created after the move are missing because the desktop application remains synchronized with the old SharePoint URL.

Before you start

Before attempting to fix the synchronization, log into SharePoint with a site administrator account to verify you have the appropriate access rights for the new notebook location and ensure no unsynced changes are accidentally discarded.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore and Re-synchronize the Notebook to the New SharePoint URL

This is the most reliable recovery method to force the OneNote desktop application to recognize the new SharePoint location without losing new sections.

When a OneNote notebook is moved directly within the SharePoint web interface, the desktop application often loses track of the new URL. It continues attempting to sync with the old directory, causing newly created sections to remain stored locally on individual devices rather than in the shared cloud location.

Restore the notebook to its original location

Using the SharePoint web interface, move the notebook folder back to the original SharePoint location where it was stored before the issue began.

Force synchronization in the desktop app

Open the OneNote desktop application, right-click the notebook name, and select 'Sync This Notebook Now' to ensure all pending local sections are uploaded to the original SharePoint location.

Copy to the new location with a new name

In SharePoint, copy (do not move) the fully synced notebook to your desired new location and assign it a new name to avoid cache conflicts.

Open the new copy in OneNote

Close the old notebook in your desktop application. Navigate to the new SharePoint location in your browser, and select 'Open in Desktop App' to establish a fresh, working synchronization link.

Restore and Re-synchronize the Notebook to the New SharePoint URL

Proper Relocation Method: In the future, avoid moving notebook folders directly within SharePoint. Instead, open the notebook in the OneNote desktop app, go to File > Properties, and use the 'Change Location' button to move it safely.

Solution 2

Verify SharePoint Folder Permissions

Check if the missing sections are caused by restrictive permissions on the new SharePoint directory.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Seamless Collaboration with WPS Office

If complex SharePoint synchronization and broken notebook links are disrupting your team's workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, featuring built-in cloud collaboration without the hassle of manual URL syncing.

1. Download and install: Visit the official WPS website to download and install WPS Office for your specific operating system.
2. Sign in to WPS Cloud: Create or log into your WPS account to activate your built-in cloud storage for team collaboration.
3. Open and edit your files: Directly open your existing Office documents in WPS Office and invite colleagues to edit them simultaneously.

Free to use, lightweight, and incredibly fast to install on any device.Highly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats.Built-in WPS Cloud allows for seamless, real-time document collaboration without SharePoint sync errors.Familiar user interface guarantees a zero-learning-curve transition for your entire team.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneNote keep syncing to the old SharePoint location after a move?

The OneNote desktop application caches the original notebook URL. If the notebook file is moved using the SharePoint web interface instead of the 'Change Location' feature within OneNote itself, the desktop app is not notified of the path change and continues looking for the old URL.

Can I manually update the SharePoint URL in OneNote?

Yes. You can right-click the notebook in the OneNote desktop application, select 'Properties', and click the 'Change Location' button to manually point the application to the new SharePoint folder.

How do I recover new sections that didn't sync before the move?

If sections were created but failed to sync, go to 'File' > 'Info' > 'Open Backups' in the OneNote desktop app. Here you can find local backup copies of your unsynced sections and manually copy them into the correctly synced notebook.

Document & File Issues