Why is OneNote notebook Export functionality unavailable for macOS users?

Question

I'm a macOS user of Microsoft OneNote app. Unfortunately, I'm unable to export OneNote notebook following the instructions shared here because the control-click for macOS does not have Export Notebook option as shown in picture-1.

I also tried using a friend's PC to Export OneNote notebook; however, the export did not complete successfully. Here are the steps I followed:

1. Downloaded a OneNote app from www.onenote.com
2. Logged in using the account from where I want to export my OneNote
3. Clicked Add a Notebook
4. Entered username/password
5. Confirmed the Notebook is synced
6. File>Export >1. Export Current: Notebook>2. Select Format: OneNote Package (*.onepkg)
7. Click Export

After preparing, packing, the OneNote fails with to complete exporting OneNote notebook with the following message:

"Sorry we can't create |0. It's possible you don't have the right permissions or enough disk space"

I've 11GB available space on my friend's PC laptop

I also tried to optimize the files using OneNote options, but that did not help complete the export notebook successfully:

1. File>Options>Save&Backup
2. Click Optimize All Files Now
3. Click O K

Please help otherwise I risk losing my 21 months of notes taken during my graduate program (started in pandemic), so thought to use Microsoft OneNote for note taking.

Best,

Kartik

Answer 1

Sophia,

I was having the same issue and your steps were very helpful! Once the school account deletes will it still be saved on the personal account I have copied the notebooks over to? Or will I need to export them from the personal account and then import them into my personal one note?

I was just wondering because I noticed that when I created a new notebook in my personal account and selected it as a back up in my school account on the one note desktop app, the personal notebook appeared in the list with my school notebooks on my school account. From here I found that if I edited or deleted the back up/personal notebook from my school account on the app it would edit/delete the same notebook on my personal account as well. So I am worried that it will completely delete everything from the personal account as well once the school one is gone.

I did see that you could select to close an open notebook and when I did that it removed my back up/personal notebook from my school account's list. Would that solve this issue or is there something else I need to do (if I need to do anything)?

I appreciate any help, thank you!

Answer 2

Dear Kartik,

Good day!!

I understand your concern but I am sorry to convey that the Export and Import feature in the referenced article is only available for the Microsoft Personal account and not for Business/Education Office 365 accounts.

I too agree with you that not having the export feature on the OneNote app on the Mac and it would definitely be ideal if we can add this feature to OneNote app on Mac experience., request you to send your feedback on our feedback web portal OneNote · Community (microsoft.com). Our product Team is constantly checking the comments and feedbacks from our customer to improve our products.

However, you can move the export the Notebooks from your work/school account to your personal account by following the below steps on OneNote app on the Mac:

a. Open the OneNote for Mac application and add your both cloud services (personal and school account). To do it: Open the OneNote app> Click on File in Apple Menu bar> Open> Add the place.

Note: If you don't have personal Microsoft account, you can simple create a new Outlook account, where you will get 5GB for free OneDrive space.

b. Now open the Notebooks from the school account which you want to move to personal account.

c. Create a new Notebooks in the personal OneDrive account.

d. Now go to school account Notebooks> Right-click on the Section> Select Move Section to or Copy Section to> Select the Notebooks create your ed in personal OneDrive account.

e. Perform Move/Copy to all sections in the school account.

Hope the steps provided will help to meet your requirement and thanks for your understanding.

Have a good day!!

Best Regards,

Sophia