Others

How to Create OneNote Notebooks and Sections in Bulk

Rana Garcia Sep 25, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to create multiple OneNote notebooks with identical section groups and sections, but with different notebook names.

How to Create OneNote Notebooks and Sections in Bulk

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up multiple notebooks that share the same internal structure without manually creating each section and group from scratch.
Observed behavior: OneNote lacks a native feature to bulk-create empty notebook structures or import a hierarchical structure directly from an Excel spreadsheet.

Before you start

Before attempting to duplicate notebook structures, ensure your OneNote notebooks are synced to OneDrive for Business or SharePoint Online, as the duplication method requires web-based file management access.

Solution 1Recommended

Duplicate an Existing Notebook Structure via OneDrive or SharePoint

Use OneDrive for Business or SharePoint Online to copy an existing template notebook, which allows you to replicate the structure, though it also carries over existing content.

Since OneNote cannot natively copy just an empty structure, the best manual workaround is to build a master template notebook. Once created, you can duplicate this file using cloud storage features and rename it as needed.

Create a template notebook

Open OneNote and set up a master notebook containing all the necessary section groups, sections, and structural elements you wish to replicate.

Access your cloud storage

Log in to the web version of OneDrive for Business or SharePoint Online where your template notebook is stored and locate the notebook file.

Copy the notebook file

Right-click the template notebook, select 'Copy to' from the context menu, and choose a destination folder within your cloud storage.

Rename the new notebook

Once the copy process is complete, right-click the duplicated notebook, select 'Rename', and give it the specific name for your new project.

Duplicate an Existing Notebook Structure via OneDrive or SharePoint

Content Duplication Alert: This method copies the entire notebook, including any pages and text within the sections. If you need purely empty sections, keep your template notebook completely blank.

Solution 2

Bulk Create Notebooks Using Microsoft Graph API

For users needing to generate numerous empty notebooks and sections rapidly, utilizing a custom script with the Microsoft Graph API is the most efficient automated approach.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Boost Your Productivity with WPS Office

While managing complex notebook structures requires cumbersome workarounds in Microsoft OneNote, WPS Office offers a streamlined, lightweight, and free alternative for managing your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Enjoy a familiar interface and flawless compatibility without the heavy subscription costs.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the suite on your device.
3. Organize your workspace: Launch WPS Office to easily manage your files using the convenient all-in-one tabbed interface.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Lightweight software that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, and Linux.All-in-one tabbed interface for easier document management and seamless workflow.Built-in PDF editing and conversion tools.Free to download and use for all essential office tasks.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import a notebook structure directly from Excel to OneNote?

No, OneNote does not natively support importing notebook structures, section groups, or sections directly from an Excel spreadsheet. You must use automation scripts via Microsoft Graph API to achieve this.

How can I duplicate a OneNote notebook on a personal OneDrive account?

Personal OneDrive accounts do not support the 'Copy to' feature for OneNote notebooks in the web interface. To duplicate a notebook on a personal account, you must create a new notebook in the OneNote desktop app and manually copy the sections over.

Are there third-party tools to help manage OneNote structures?

Yes, third-party add-ins like Onetastic or OneNote Gem offer macro functionalities that can help automate repetitive tasks within notebooks, though bulk-creating entirely new notebooks often requires enterprise-level scripting.

Office Quick Solutions