Microsoft 365 Migration

How to Transfer OneNote Notebooks Without an Export Option

John Wilson Oct 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to migrate OneNote notebooks from an expiring university Microsoft 365 account to a personal Microsoft account, but lacks a direct export option.

How to Transfer OneNote Notebooks Without an Export Option

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A university or school Microsoft 365 account is expiring, requiring an immediate backup or migration of OneNote notebooks to a personal account to prevent data loss.
Observed behavior: The user wants to safely migrate the notebooks to a new account before the original account is disabled, overcoming the missing native export function.

Before you start

Ensure you have the login credentials for both your expiring university Microsoft 365 account and the destination personal Microsoft account ready.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Mover Transfer Wizard

Use Microsoft's Mover Transfer Wizard to seamlessly copy your OneNote notebook folders from your university OneDrive to another Microsoft account.

The Mover Transfer Wizard is a web-based tool provided by Microsoft that allows you to migrate files directly between cloud storage accounts. It is particularly useful for OneNote notebooks, which often fail to transfer properly when using traditional drag-and-drop or download methods.

Access the Mover Transfer Wizard

Open your web browser and navigate to https://app.mover.io/.

Authorize your source account

Under 'Step 1: Select Source', click 'Authorize New Connector' and choose the OneDrive account associated with your university. Sign in and grant the necessary permissions.

Select the OneNote files

Once authorized, browse through the directory and select the specific OneNote files or folders you wish to transfer.

Authorize your destination account

Under 'Step 2: Select Destination', click 'Authorize New Connector', select the destination personal Microsoft account, and sign in to grant access.

Start the copy process

Select an existing destination folder or create a new one. Then, under 'Step 3: Start Transferring', click the 'Start Copy' button.

Review the transfer details

Monitor the transfer results on the screen to ensure all files are copied successfully and review any items that may have been skipped.

Time-Sensitive Action: Complete this transfer before your university account is disabled. Once it expires, you will permanently lose access to the original notebooks and files.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Migrating from Microsoft 365? Try WPS Office

If your university Microsoft 365 account is expiring and you need a reliable suite for document creation, WPS Office is an excellent, free, and lightweight alternative. It offers high compatibility with Microsoft formats so you can seamlessly continue your work.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click on the 'Free Download' button.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
3. Open and edit your files: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without losing any formatting.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Free to use with a lightweight, fast installationFamiliar user interface for a seamless transition from Microsoft 365Built-in PDF editor and cross-device cloud storage

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just download my OneNote notebook as a file from OneDrive?

Downloading OneNote notebooks directly from OneDrive on the web often results in downloading an internet shortcut file rather than the actual notebook data. Using a migration tool like the Mover Transfer Wizard ensures the complete notebook structure is accurately transferred.

What happens if my university account expires before I transfer my notebooks?

Once your school or university Microsoft 365 account is disabled by the administrator, you will lose all access to the account and the files stored within it, including your OneNote notebooks. It is crucial to back up or transfer your data before the expiration date.

Are there any alternative methods to migrate OneNote notebooks?

Yes, if you have the full OneNote desktop application installed on a PC, you can open the notebook from your university account, click 'File', select 'Export', save it as a OneNote Package (.pkg) to your local drive, and then unpack it into your personal account.

Migration & Recovery