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OneNote Alert

Dan Gross 0 Reputation points
2026-06-13T00:42:39.8633333+00:00

I have a problematic One Note section with an alert "This section is in read-only mode because it is broken. A backup has been created. To continue editing, please copy the content into a new section and delete this one."

I created a new blank section into which I can copy the broken one. When I select the read-only section, then right-click to "copy or move", after a short period I get another alert: "The follow section hasn't finished downloading. If you continue, some of its contents may not be copied to the new location."

How do I know when the read-only section has "finished downloading"?

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneNote | For home | Windows
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  1. AI answer

    2026-06-13T00:42:47.1966667+00:00

    The message means OneNote is still trying to sync or download that section from its storage location. OneNote does not show an explicit “finished” indicator for that specific section, but the general rule is:

    1. Wait for sync to complete for the notebook:
      • Check the notebook list and make sure there is no sync icon or error indicator on the notebook that contains the broken section.
      • If there is a sync icon or error, wait until it disappears or resolve any sync issues first.
    2. Use Misplaced/unsynced behavior as a guide:
      • Misplaced or partially downloaded sections appear under Misplaced Sections when OneNote cannot fully sync them.
      • Once the notebook syncs successfully and the section no longer appears under Misplaced Sections, its content is considered fully available and safe to copy or move.
    3. Then copy the content instead of the whole section:
      • Open the broken section and, once pages load and sync is complete, copy pages or page content into the new section (rather than moving the entire section tab). This avoids the warning about incomplete download.

    If the section never finishes syncing (for example, it remains broken or in Misplaced Sections), manually copy the visible page content into the new section and then delete the broken section as suggested by the alert.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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