Microsoft 365 Migration

How to Transfer OneNote Files When Changing Microsoft 365 Plans

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to securely transfer or locally save OneNote notebooks to ensure continued access after migrating from a Microsoft 365 Business account to a Microsoft 365 Family account.

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows, Mac
Scenario: Migrating data from a commercial Microsoft 365 Business plan to a personal Microsoft 365 Family plan.
Observed behavior: Looking for the proper methods to prevent data loss and ensure existing OneNote files remain accessible in the new Family account.

Before you start

Ensure you have the login credentials for both your old Microsoft 365 Business account and your new Microsoft 365 Family account, and perform the transfer before the Business subscription expires.

Solution 1Recommended

Export and Import Notebooks Using OneNote for Windows

Use the OneNote desktop app for Windows, which includes a built-in export feature to easily package and migrate entire notebooks.

This method is highly recommended as it preserves the exact structure of your notebooks. Note that the export feature is only available in the classic OneNote desktop app on Windows, not in OneNote for Windows 10 or the web version.

Export the existing notebook

Open the OneNote desktop app and log into your Microsoft 365 Business account. Go to 'File' > 'Export'. Select 'Notebook' under 'Export Current', choose 'OneNote Package (*.onepkg)' as the format, and click 'Export' to save it to your local hard drive.

Switch accounts

Sign out of your Business account in OneNote, or go to 'File' > 'Account' and add your new Microsoft 365 Family account.

Import the notebook

Locate the saved .onepkg file on your computer and double-click it. OneNote will prompt you to unpack the notebook. Choose a destination folder synced to your new Family account's OneDrive to ensure it uploads correctly.

Sync Completion: Leave the OneNote app open until the sync icon indicates that the imported notebook has fully uploaded to your new personal OneDrive.

Solution 2

Manually Copy Sections and Pages in OneNote for Mac

Since OneNote for Mac does not offer a native export feature, you must manually copy your notebook sections from the old account to the new one.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I export OneNote notebooks directly from my Mac?

No, the native export function is currently only available on the OneNote desktop application for Windows. Mac users must manually copy notebook sections to a new account, or use a Windows PC temporarily to perform the export.

What happens to my notebooks if my Microsoft 365 Business account expires?

Once the Business subscription expires and the account is deactivated by the administrator, you will lose access to all data stored in that account's OneDrive, including OneNote notebooks. You must transfer the files before the account is closed.

Can I just share the notebook with my new Microsoft 365 Family account?

While you can share a notebook, the actual file remains stored on the Business account's OneDrive. If the Business account is deleted, the shared notebook will be permanently deleted for all users. You must transfer ownership by exporting or copying the data.

Migration & Recovery