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How to Export a Complete OneNote Notebook When Sections Are Not Synced
Question details
The user needs to export a complete OneNote notebook but is prevented by incomplete synchronization, leading to warnings of a partial backup file.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to create a complete backup of a notebook by exporting it to a .onepkg file from the desktop application.
- Observed behavior
- The export process is interrupted by a warning stating that some sections have not fully synchronized, and proceeding will result in a partial file missing those pages.
Ensure you have a stable and active internet connection so the desktop application can successfully download the latest notebook changes from the cloud server.
Force Full Synchronization in the Desktop Application
Resolve the incomplete export issue by manually forcing a full synchronization of your notebook sections before attempting the export.
When you export a notebook, OneNote uses the locally cached data. If sections haven't fully downloaded from OneDrive, the local cache is incomplete, which triggers the partial backup warning.
Launch the OneNote desktop application and navigate to the specific notebook you are trying to export.
Right-click the name of the notebook in the notebook list and select 'Sync This Notebook Now', or simply press the Shift + F9 keys on your keyboard.
Right-click the notebook name again and select 'Notebook Sync Status'. Wait for the progress bar to complete and ensure the status displays as 'Up to date'.
Go to File > Export. Under 'Export Current', select 'Notebook'. Choose 'OneNote Package (*.onepkg)' under 'Select Format', and click the 'Export' button. You should no longer receive the unsynced sections warning.
Trigger Synchronization from OneNote Online
If the desktop application fails to sync normally, initiating the process from OneNote Online can help force the desktop app to retrieve missing sections.
Switch to WPS Office for Reliable Document Management
If you frequently encounter frustrating synchronization errors or missing files in Microsoft Office applications, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and seamless experience for all your document needs without the hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneNote say sections have not fully synchronized during export?
This happens when the local cache of your OneNote desktop application has not finished downloading the latest changes from OneDrive. Because the export relies on local data, unsynced pages cannot be included in the file.
What happens if I continue exporting with unsynced sections?
If you bypass the warning and continue, OneNote will generate a partial .onepkg file. Any pages or sections that were not fully synchronized will be permanently excluded from this backup.
How can I check if my OneNote notebook is completely synced?
You can check the sync status by right-clicking the notebook name and selecting 'Notebook Sync Status'. If the window displays 'Up to date' with a green checkmark next to your notebook, it is fully synced.
Can I export a complete notebook as a .onepkg file from OneNote for Web?
No, exporting a notebook as a complete .onepkg package is only supported in the OneNote desktop application for Windows. The web version does not support this specific export feature.
