Creating a notebook takes less than a minute

To create a new OneNote notebook, open OneNote on your device, select File in the top menu, then choose New. Name your notebook, pick where to store it (your computer, OneDrive, or SharePoint), and click Create. The notebook opens immediately and is ready to use.

The exact steps differ slightly depending on whether you use OneNote on Windows, Mac, or the web version, but the result is the same: a blank notebook with one default section where you can start taking notes right away.

Key Takeaways

  • OneNote notebooks can be stored locally on your device, on OneDrive for cloud access, or on SharePoint for team collaboration.
  • A new notebook starts with one section called "General" that you can rename or delete once you create it.
  • You can create multiple notebooks for different projects, subjects, or purposes without affecting existing ones.
  • Notebooks stored on OneDrive or SharePoint sync automatically across your devices and can be shared with others.

Where your notebook will be stored matters

Before you create a notebook, decide where you want it to live. OneNote offers three main storage options, and each one changes how you access and share your notes.

Local storage keeps the notebook only on your device — useful if you want notes that stay private and do not sync anywhere. OneDrive stores your notebook in the cloud, so it appears on any device where you sign in with the same Microsoft account, and you can share it with specific people. SharePoint is for team notebooks where multiple people work together on the same notes in real time.

If you are not sure which to pick, OneDrive is the safest default: your notes are backed up automatically, you can reach them from anywhere, and you can still choose to share or keep them private.

Steps for Windows OneNote

Open OneNote on your Windows computer. At the top left, click File, then select New from the menu that appears.

A dialog box opens asking you to name the notebook and choose a location. Type a name in the text field — something like "Project Notes" or "2024 Ideas" works well. Below that, you will see options for where to store it: This Device, OneDrive, or SharePoint. Click the one you want, then click Create Notebook.

OneNote creates the notebook and opens it immediately. You will see a blank page with a section tab labeled "General" at the top. You can start typing right away, or rename and organize the notebook first.

Steps for Mac OneNote

Open OneNote on your Mac. In the menu bar at the very top of the screen, click File, then select New.

A window appears asking for the notebook name and storage location. Type your notebook name in the text field. Below that, choose where to store it — This Mac, OneDrive, or SharePoint — then click Create.

The new notebook opens in a new window. Like the Windows version, it starts with one section called "General" that you can modify later.

Steps for OneNote on the web

Go to OneNote.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. On the left side of the screen, you will see a list of your existing notebooks. At the bottom of that list, click the + icon or New Notebook.

A text field appears where you type the notebook name. Press Enter or click outside the field to create it. The web version always stores notebooks on OneDrive, so there is no storage choice to make — your notebook is automatically backed up and accessible from any device.

What happens after you create the notebook

Your new notebook opens with one section already in place, usually called "General." You can start typing notes immediately on the blank page that appears. The notebook is ready to use without any additional setup.

If you want to organize before you start, you can rename the "General" section by right-clicking it and selecting Rename Section, or create new sections by clicking the + icon next to the section tabs. You can also add pages within each section by clicking Add Page. None of this is required — many people just start writing and organize later.

If you stored the notebook on OneDrive or SharePoint, it syncs automatically to your other devices. If you stored it locally, it only appears on the device where you created it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move a notebook from my computer to OneDrive later?

Yes. In OneNote, right-click the notebook name and select Properties, then look for an option to move or change the location. The exact steps vary by version, but OneNote can transfer local notebooks to the cloud. You can also export the notebook and re-import it to OneDrive if moving is not available in your version.

What is the difference between a notebook, a section, and a page?

A notebook is the container for everything — like a physical binder. A section is a divider inside the notebook, like a tab. A page is where you actually write notes, like a sheet of paper. One notebook can hold many sections, and each section can hold many pages.

Do I need a Microsoft account to create a notebook?

You need a Microsoft account to use OneNote on the web or to store notebooks on OneDrive or SharePoint. If you use OneNote on your Windows or Mac computer and store notebooks locally, you do not need an account — but you will need one if you ever want to sync or share those notes.

Can multiple people edit the same notebook at the same time?

Yes, if the notebook is stored on OneDrive or SharePoint. You can share the notebook with others, and they can edit pages while you are working on different pages. Local notebooks cannot be shared this way — only cloud-based ones support real-time collaboration.