Office Settings & Configuration

How to Organize OneNote Sections Using Section Groups and Subpages

Ayan Masood Oct 12, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to structure their OneNote notebooks with hierarchical subsections to better organize notes, chapters, and topics.

How to Organize OneNote Sections Using Section Groups and Subpages

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Structuring an active notebook into defined chapters and nested subsections for easier navigation.
Observed behavior: OneNote does not provide traditional folders inside sections natively, prompting the user to seek alternative hierarchical organization methods.

Before you start

Ensure your OneNote application is open and your current notebook is fully synced to prevent any structural changes from being lost.

Solution 1Recommended

Organize Notebooks Using Section Groups

Use section groups to create a folder-like structure that can contain multiple related sections, effectively acting as broad categories or chapters.

While OneNote does not support traditional folders within sections, section groups serve as high-level containers. You can group multiple tabs together, keeping the top-level navigation of your notebook clean and organized.

Create a New Section Group

Right-click on any existing section tab at the top (or left pane, depending on your version) and select 'New Section Group' from the context menu.

Name the Section Group

Type a recognizable name for the broader category, such as 'Chapter 1' or 'Project Files', and press Enter.

Move Existing Sections

Click and drag any existing section tabs directly into the newly created section group to nest them.

Create Sections Inside the Group

Click on the section group to open it, then click the '+' or 'Add Section' button to create subsections (e.g., '1.1', '1.2') directly inside.

Navigation Tip: You can easily return to the top level of your notebook by clicking the upward-facing arrow near the section tabs when inside a section group.

Solution 2

Organize Pages with Subpages

Create a clean, collapsible hierarchy within a single section by making certain pages subordinate to a main parent page.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I nest a section group inside another section group in OneNote?

Yes, OneNote allows you to create nested hierarchies. To do this, open an existing section group, right-click on the blank space in the section tab area, and select 'New Section Group'.

How many levels of subpages can I create?

OneNote supports up to three levels of page hierarchy: a top-level page, a subpage (level 2), and a sub-subpage (level 3). You can create the third level by right-clicking a subpage and selecting 'Make Subpage' again.

Why can't I put a section directly inside another section?

OneNote's architecture treats sections as individual notebooks dividers, similar to tabs in a binder. To bundle sections together, you must use a 'Section Group' as the dedicated container.

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