How to Fix OneNote Import Notes Error on MacOS (Misplaced Sections Locked)

Reference: Based on user tendencies, readers highly prefer learning why their initial workaround (making a new account) failed before they attempt more complex software removals

What to Know Before You OneNote Import Notes Error on MacOS

The workflow begins at a specific OneNote entry point: Open the OneNote application on your Mac

How to OneNote Import Notes Error on MacOS Step by Step

This OneNote Import Notes Error on MacOS procedure uses the controls available in Notebooks list (bottom left); complete each action before moving to the next.

1. Open the OneNote application on your Mac
2. Scroll to the very bottom of your Notebooks pane to locate the real entry point: Misplaced Sections
3. Right-click the tab of the specific misplaced section that is causing the error
4. Select Move or Copy to attempt to save the data to a healthy notebook, OR choose Delete if the locked data is no longer needed
5. Verify the expected result by completely closing and reopening OneNote to see if the import error popup is gone

How to Verify the OneNote Result

The workflow is complete only after this confirmation: Verify the expected result by completely closing and reopening OneNote to see if the import error popup is gone If the expected state is missing, revisit Misplaced Sections" tab in Notebooks list (bottom left).

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For local work related to OneNote Import Notes Error on MacOS, WPS Office is a free Microsoft Office-compatible alternative. It cannot repair a proprietary OneNote service, add-in, account, or Windows/macOS installation state, so use the verified Microsoft procedure above for the original fault.

For the local work surrounding “OneNote Import Notes Error on MacOS,” WPS Writer and WPS PDF can handle local notes, DOCX files, PDFs, comments, and export workflows. WPS AI can summarize notes, rewrite passages, and extract action items. The interface is lightweight and familiar to Microsoft Office users, which makes moving routine local work straightforward without changing the Microsoft-side setting discussed here.

OneNote FAQs About OneNote Import Notes Error on MacOS

Why can't I delete a misplaced section in OneNote for Mac?

Misplaced sections often lock themselves if they were originally part of a password-protected notebook or if the local Mac cache is corrupted. To fix this, you must clear your Mac's Keychain credentials for Microsoft Office, restart your Mac, and attempt to delete the section again from the bottom of your Notebooks list.

Will I lose my notes if I completely uninstall Office on MacOS?

Notes that have successfully synced to OneDrive will remain safe in the cloud. However, any un-synced data residing in "Misplaced Sections" will be permanently deleted when you clear the OneNote container files during a complete, clean uninstall.

Is there a way to roll back OneNote to a previous version on Mac?

Yes. First, completely uninstall your current Microsoft 365 and Office applications. Then, download and run an older, stable installer package (such as version 16.84) directly from Microsoft's CDN servers and disable automatic updates in the Help menu.

What is a good alternative if Office software keeps generating sync errors on my Mac?

If you are repeatedly dealing with complex cloud syncing errors, WPS Office is an excellent lightweight alternative. It provides robust document, spreadsheet, and presentation management for Mac, allows intuitive local saving without forced cloud conflicts, and features a free tier for essential home and professional tasks.