Password protection, syncing issue

Question

Hi, 

I have a OneNote notebook which I had shared with two other users.  I have a section that I wanted to password protect, but it is giving me this error message:

'You can't change, add or remove password protection for  this section because it hasn't completely synced. Try again once it syncs.'

I have other sections which I can password protect (and remove protection) without any difficulty.

So I removed access permissions for the other two users to try to reduce any syncing issues with no joy.  I also created a new section in the notebook and copied (not moved) the tabs of the problem section to it, but that just transferred the problem to the new section.

Is there a way I can rectify this without restarting with a brand new notebook?

Thanks

Answer 1

Thanks for the reply.

I have lots of pages in that section, yes.

It would seem this problem arises with shared notebooks, which is a bit daft because that would be particularly when I would want to set passwords.  I could imagine this error could potentially arise at any time as synchronisation is often in progress.

I have now removed the sharing privileges so why doesn't that solve the problem?

The problem with creating a new section, as I explained in my original note, is that when I copy the tabs to the new section it simply brings the error with it.

I have already tried manually syncing the book.

So where do I go now with this?

Thanks,

Jonathan

Answer 2

​Hello Jonathan,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

• Do you have more number of pages under that particular section?

This issue occurs if the notebook has been shared, and if the section for which you want to set password protection has pages that were not synchronized with the shared copy.

As an work around, you may create a new section and add the password protection before adding the/moving the content. Once the password protection is created, try moving the contents and check if it helps.

You may also try manually syncing the notebook by referring the below article and check.

https://support.office.com/en-gb/article/Fix-issues-when-you-can-t-sync-OneNote-299495ef-66d1-448f-90c1-b785a6968d45

Hope this helps. If you have any queries, please let us know.

Thank you.

Answer 3

Hi Anna,

Just to clarify, did you receive the same error if you copy these data on a new notebook instead and not on a new section of the same notebook? This will also help us to confirm if this will work for you and have this fix.

Let us know how it goes.

Answer 4

I am having the same issue, but mine is a Class Notebook so if I would only be able to change the permissions if I remove pupils from the notebook.

Is there a fix?

I made two identical notebooks within a couple of days of each other and one works perfectly and the other won't let me password protect at all.

Answer 5

Hello,

Any further suggestions to my follow-up question below?