How to Transfer OneNote Notebooks from a School to a Personal Account on Mac
Question details
The user needs to preserve their OneNote notebooks before losing access to a school account by migrating them to a personal Microsoft account on a Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Graduating or leaving a school and needing to retain OneNote data before the school account is deactivated.
- Observed behavior
- OneNote for Mac does not have a direct Export function, requiring users to find alternative ways to migrate notebooks to a new personal account.
Ensure you are signed into both your school Microsoft account and your personal Microsoft account within the OneNote application on your Mac so that both sets of notebooks are accessible.
Use the Copy Section Feature on Mac
Use the built-in 'Copy Section To' feature to move your data, as OneNote for Mac lacks a full notebook export tool.
Because OneNote for Mac does not currently include an Export function, the most reliable method is to manually copy notebook sections from your school account to a newly created notebook on your personal account.
Open OneNote for Mac, ensure you are signed in with your personal Microsoft account, and create a new, empty notebook to act as the destination for your files.
Sign in or switch to your school account within OneNote and open the notebook you wish to transfer.
Right-click (or Control-click) on a section tab in your school notebook and select 'Copy Section To' from the context menu.
Choose the new notebook you created under your personal account as the destination and confirm. Repeat this process for each section you want to preserve.
Use OneNote Desktop on a Windows PC
If you have access to a Windows PC, you can use the desktop version of OneNote to export and transfer entire notebooks at once.
Looking for a Seamless Office Experience on Mac?
While migrating your Microsoft accounts, you might be looking for a lightweight and cost-effective office suite. WPS Office provides excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, allowing you to seamlessly manage documents, spreadsheets, and presentations on your Mac without expensive subscriptions.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
- 2. Install and Launch: Follow the installation prompts and launch the application.
- 3. Open Your Files: Open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files directly in WPS Office and start editing for free.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I find the Export button in OneNote for Mac?
The Mac version of OneNote does not currently support the Export functionality found in the Windows desktop version. You must use the 'Copy Section To' method to move your data manually.
Can I move an entire notebook at once on a Mac?
No, because the Export feature is missing, you cannot move a whole notebook at once on macOS. You have to create a new notebook and copy it section by section.
Will I lose my OneNote data when my school account is deactivated?
Yes, once your school account is closed or deactivated, you will lose access to all notebooks stored on its OneDrive. It is highly recommended to copy your important sections to a personal account before graduating or leaving.
Do I need to keep both accounts signed in to transfer sections?
Yes, keeping both your school and personal accounts signed into the OneNote app simultaneously allows you to select the personal notebook as the destination when copying sections across accounts.




