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How to Find and Copy OneNote Backups on Mac
Question details
The user needs to locate local OneNote backup files on a Mac and wants to know if it is safe to copy them to cloud storage like Dropbox.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Locating local backup files and creating an additional copy to cloud storage.
- Observed behavior
- The user is looking for the default local backup directory on macOS and the proper method to back up these files externally.
Ensure Microsoft OneNote is completely closed before attempting to manually copy any backup folders to prevent file corruption.
Locate the Default OneNote Backup Folder on Mac
Use the built-in OneNote preferences to easily reveal where your local backups are stored on macOS.
The exact backup path can vary depending on your specific macOS version and Office build. Fortunately, OneNote includes a shortcut to open this location directly.
Launch OneNote on your Mac, click on 'OneNote' in the top menu bar, and select 'Preferences'.
In the Preferences window, click on the 'Backups' option.
Click the 'Open Backup Folder' button. This will automatically open Finder directly to your backup location (commonly ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.onenote.mac/Data/Library/Application Support/Microsoft User Data/OneNote/15.0/Backup).
Copy OneNote Backups to Dropbox or External Drives
Safely create an additional copy of your OneNote backups to external locations without risking data corruption.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Management on Mac
Looking for a reliable and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office? WPS Office offers a comprehensive suite for Word, Excel, and PDF editing with excellent performance on Mac and built-in cloud backup solutions.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for Mac from the official website and complete the quick installation.
- 2. Sign In for Cloud: Create or log in to your WPS account to activate free cloud storage.
- 3. Enable Auto-Backup: Save your documents to WPS Cloud to automatically sync and back them up across all your devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the default backup location for OneNote on Mac?
No, the default backup location for OneNote on Mac generally cannot be changed through the application settings. If you need backups elsewhere, you must manually copy the folder to your preferred destination.
How do I restore a OneNote notebook from a local backup file?
To restore a backup, open OneNote on your Mac, go to 'File' in the top menu bar, and select 'Open Backups'. Browse to your backup folder and select the specific file you want to restore.
Why can't I open OneNote backup files directly from Finder?
OneNote backup files use a specific rendering format that requires the application to rebuild the notebook structure correctly. Double-clicking them in Finder will not work; you must use the 'File > Open Backups' option directly inside OneNote.
