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How to Move OneNote Notebooks Between SharePoint Organizations
Question details
An organization needs to transfer OneNote notebooks from a closing company's SharePoint environment to a new Microsoft 365 and SharePoint tenant without losing content.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote, SharePoint
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Migrating data during a company closure or tenant change, requiring a secure transfer of OneNote notebooks to a new Microsoft 365 organization.
- Observed behavior
- The user requires a reliable step-by-step method to migrate OneNote notebooks across different SharePoint organizations without experiencing data loss.
Ensure you have the desktop version of OneNote 2016 for Windows installed on your computer, as the necessary export feature is not available in OneNote for Windows 10 or the web version.
Export and Share Using OneNote 2016 Desktop App
Use the local export and package feature in the OneNote 2016 desktop application to download the SharePoint notebook, then share it to the new organization's tenant.
This method packages the entire notebook into a single local file, which can then be unpacked and synced directly to the destination OneDrive or SharePoint account.
Launch OneNote 2016 for Windows and open the specific SharePoint notebooks you wish to migrate from the closing organization.
Select 'File' in the top ribbon, click 'Export', choose 'Notebook' under 'Export Current', and select 'OneNote Package (*.onepkg)'. Save this package to a local drive on your computer.
Still in OneNote 2016, open or import the newly created OneNote package from your local drive. This creates an offline copy of the notebook.
Click 'File', select 'Share', and choose the OneDrive or SharePoint account associated with the new Microsoft 365 organization to upload and sync the notebook.
Looking for a Lightweight Alternative to Microsoft Office?
If managing Microsoft 365 tenant migrations, complex SharePoint setups, and large software footprints is slowing your team down, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, fast, and free productivity suite for all your document needs.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free, lightweight installer for your operating system.
- 2. Sign In to WPS Cloud: Create a free account to instantly access built-in cloud storage and easily share files across your devices.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Directly open your existing .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files in WPS Office without worrying about formatting issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move OneNote notebooks using OneNote for Windows 10?
No, OneNote for Windows 10 does not support exporting notebooks as local packages. You must use the OneNote 2016 desktop application to access the 'Export' feature required for this migration method.
Will I lose my notebook's version history during the SharePoint migration?
Yes, when you export a notebook as a OneNote package (*.onepkg), the page version history and deleted pages in the recycle bin are generally stripped out. The notebook will start with a fresh history in the new tenant.
Is it possible to migrate multiple OneNote notebooks at once?
The OneNote 2016 export method requires you to manually export and share each notebook individually. If an organization needs to migrate a large number of notebooks simultaneously, they will likely need to utilize third-party SharePoint migration tools or scripts.
Why won't my exported OneNote package sync to the new SharePoint?
Ensure that you are signed into the correct Microsoft 365 account for the new organization within OneNote 2016. Go to 'File' > 'Account' to verify your connected services before attempting to share the local notebook to the new SharePoint environment.
