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How to Migrate OneNote Notebooks from Work to Personal Account
Question details
The user needs to move large OneNote notebooks from a Microsoft 365 business account to a personal Microsoft account and store them on a personal OneDrive.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Transitioning from a work or school Microsoft 365 environment to a personal Microsoft account.
- Observed behavior
- Notebooks currently reside in a business account and need to be successfully exported and synced to a personal OneDrive without data loss.
Ensure you have the desktop version of OneNote (formerly OneNote 2016) installed on Windows, as the web or Windows 10 app versions do not support exporting full notebook packages locally.
Export and Share via OneNote Desktop for Windows
Use the desktop version of OneNote to package the business notebook locally and then re-share it to your personal OneDrive.
This method requires a Windows PC with the full desktop version of OneNote installed. It allows you to download the entire notebook as a single package file and then re-upload it to a different account seamlessly.
Open the notebook you want to migrate in OneNote 2016. Click on 'File' in the top left corner, then select 'Export'. Under 'Export Current', choose 'Notebook', and select 'OneNote Package (*.onepkg)' as the format. Click 'Export' and save the file to your local hard drive.
Navigate to the local folder where you saved the .onepkg file and double-click it. OneNote will prompt you to unpack the notebook. Choose a local destination path to extract the notebook files and click 'Create'.
With the newly unpacked local notebook open in OneNote, click 'File' and select 'Share'. Choose your personal OneDrive account (sign in if you haven't already), specify a folder location, and click 'Move Notebook' to sync it to your personal account.
Looking for a Lightweight Office Suite After Your Migration?
If you are transitioning away from a Microsoft 365 business account, you might need a powerful office suite for your personal use. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for managing all your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package for your PC, Mac, or mobile device.
- 2. Open Your Office Files: Easily open your existing .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files directly in WPS Office without losing any formatting or layout settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I migrate OneNote notebooks using a Mac?
No, the Mac version of OneNote does not support exporting full notebooks as a local package. You will need to use a Windows PC with the OneNote desktop application to perform this export and migration.
Why can't I find the Export option in OneNote?
If you do not see the Export option under the File menu, you might be using 'OneNote for Windows 10' or the web version. You must download and use the classic 'OneNote' desktop app (formerly OneNote 2016) to access local export features.
What happens if my notebook is too large to sync to my personal account?
Before sharing the unpacked notebook to your personal OneDrive, verify that your personal account has enough available cloud storage space. Large notebooks may fail to sync or cause errors if you exceed your free personal OneDrive storage quota.
