File Sharing Problems

How to Move OneNote Notebooks to SharePoint or OneDrive

Khadija Khan Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to understand how to transition local OneNote notebooks to cloud storage environments like SharePoint or OneDrive to utilize sharing and synchronization capabilities.

How to Move Local OneNote Notebooks to SharePoint or OneDrive

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Moving existing offline local notebooks to cloud storage to enable collaboration and cross-device synchronization.
Observed behavior: The user wants to successfully migrate the local notebook hierarchy (notebooks, sections, and pages) to a cloud location and ensure all offline changes are properly synced.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and are actively signed into your Microsoft or organizational account within the OneNote desktop application.

Solution 1Recommended

Move Notebooks via OneNote Desktop Application

This is the standard and most reliable method to transition your local notebook to the cloud, ensuring all sections and pages are properly synced.

While local notebooks offer excellent offline access, they lack the collaborative capabilities of cloud storage. Moving your notebook directly through the OneNote desktop application automatically transfers your sections and pages to SharePoint or OneDrive, enabling real-time synchronization and team sharing capabilities.

Open the Notebook

Launch the OneNote desktop application and open the older local notebook you wish to move.

Access the Share Menu

Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the application window, then select 'Share' from the left-hand sidebar menu.

Select the Destination

Choose either 'OneDrive' or 'SharePoint' (often listed under Sites) as your preferred destination. You may be prompted to sign in to your Microsoft account if you haven't already.

Move and Synchronize

Provide a name for the notebook in its new location and click 'Move Notebook'. Wait for the initial synchronization process to fully complete.

Move Notebooks via OneNote Desktop Application

Synchronization Check: Always verify that the synchronization icon indicates completion. Ensure all unsynchronized changes have finished syncing before closing the notebook or signing out to prevent data loss.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still access my SharePoint notebooks when I am offline?

Yes. The OneNote desktop application caches a local copy of your cloud notebooks on your device. You can continue to view and edit them offline, and your changes will automatically sync to SharePoint or OneDrive the next time you connect to the internet.

Why is my notebook not syncing to OneDrive or SharePoint?

Syncing issues can occur due to network connectivity drops, lack of storage space, or insufficient SharePoint permissions. You can check the sync status by right-clicking the notebook name and selecting 'Notebook Sync Status' to view specific error messages.

Does moving the notebook change its formatting or section layout?

No, OneNote maintains the exact same hierarchy of notebooks, section groups, sections, and pages whether the file is stored locally on your hard drive or hosted online via SharePoint or OneDrive.

Document & File Issues