How to Open Local OneNote Files from a USB Drive on Mac
Question details
The user needs to open a local OneNote notebook file that is stored on a USB drive using a Mac computer.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Attempting to access and edit locally saved OneNote files transferred via an external USB flash drive on macOS.
- Observed behavior
- OneNote for Mac does not support opening local notebook files directly from external drives; it requires notebooks to be opened from a supported cloud location like OneDrive.
Ensure you have temporary access to a Windows computer with a desktop version of OneNote installed (such as OneNote 2016), as well as an active Microsoft account for OneDrive.
Sync the Notebook to OneDrive via a Windows PC
Because OneNote for Mac relies exclusively on cloud storage, you must use a Windows computer to migrate your local USB notebook into OneDrive.
OneNote for Mac is designed to work strictly with cloud-based notebooks. Local .one files or notebook folders cannot be opened directly within the macOS application.
Insert the USB flash drive containing your local OneNote files into a Windows computer.
Launch the OneNote desktop application on Windows (e.g., OneNote 2016). Click 'File' > 'Open', browse to the USB drive, and select the notebook folder or the .onetoc2 file to open it.
Navigate to 'File' > 'Share' (or 'File' > 'Info' > 'Share on Web or Network'). Select your connected OneDrive account, choose a destination folder, and click 'Move Notebook'.
Once the sync is complete, open OneNote on your Mac. Sign in with the same Microsoft account, click 'File' > 'Open Notebook', and select the newly uploaded notebook from your OneDrive.
Export the Notebook to PDF
If you only need to view the contents on your Mac and do not need to edit them, exporting the local notebook to a PDF on a Windows PC is a fast workaround.
Try WPS Office for Your Cross-Platform Document Needs
While the local OneNote file format is proprietary to Microsoft, WPS Office offers a powerful, free alternative for your standard document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs. If you've exported your notes to PDF, WPS Office's built-in PDF toolkit allows you to easily view, annotate, and manage them on your Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open local .one files directly on OneNote for Mac?
No. OneNote for Mac does not support local notebooks or .one files. It requires all notebooks to be synced and opened via a cloud service like OneDrive or SharePoint.
Why does my OneNote file show up as a folder on the USB drive?
Locally saved OneNote notebooks are stored as standard Windows folders containing individual .one files for each section and a .onetoc2 file for the table of contents. To open the entire notebook on a compatible Windows PC, you must open the .onetoc2 file.
Is there any third-party Mac app that can edit local OneNote files?
Currently, there are no reliable third-party applications for Mac that natively edit local .one files. Your best option is to upload the notebook to OneDrive using a Windows PC or export the notes to a universal format like PDF.
