How to Fix SharePoint Authentication Script Error in OneNote
Question details
Users encounter a script error or a looping authentication window when attempting to open a cross-tenant SharePoint notebook in the OneNote desktop application.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening a notebook hosted in a different Microsoft 365 tenant using the OneNote desktop app.
- Observed behavior
- The authentication process hangs or throws a script error in the desktop app, despite functioning correctly in web browsers like Chrome and Edge.
Ensure you are logged into your Microsoft 365 account in your default web browser and verify that you have the necessary permissions to access the cross-tenant SharePoint site.
Open Notebook from OneNote Online
Bypass the desktop authentication loop by launching the notebook directly from the web browser.
Log in to Microsoft 365 in your web browser and open the affected SharePoint notebook in OneNote Online.
Click on the 'Editing' dropdown menu on the top ribbon of the web interface and select 'Open in Desktop App'.
Allow the browser prompt to launch Microsoft OneNote and follow any on-screen authentication steps to load the notebook.
Clear Browser Cache
Resolve underlying token issues by clearing outdated cache data that might be causing the script error.
Contact Microsoft 365 Support
Escalate the issue to Microsoft if the authentication error persists for multiple users.
Avoid Authentication Hassles with WPS Office
Struggling with complex cross-tenant authentication loops in Microsoft 365? Switch to WPS Office for a lightweight, hassle-free document collaboration experience that just works.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install and Launch: Run the installer, follow the on-screen instructions, and launch WPS Office.
- 3. Start Collaborating: Open your documents and easily share them with colleagues via built-in secure cloud links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the SharePoint notebook open in my browser but fail in the OneNote desktop app?
Web browsers handle cross-tenant authentication using active web session tokens, which typically succeed effortlessly. The OneNote desktop app relies on a local credential manager, which can sometimes struggle to process external tenant scripts, leading to authentication hangs or errors.
Should the external SharePoint owner open the support ticket for this issue?
No. Since the script error happens in the OneNote application within your own tenant's environment, your Microsoft 365 administrator needs to open the support ticket to investigate your local authentication process.
What happens if I click 'Cancel' when the authentication window hangs?
Clicking 'Cancel' on a hanging authentication window will usually cause the prompt to relaunch immediately, creating a frustrating loop. It is recommended to force close the application and try opening the notebook securely from OneNote Online instead.
