Creating a new notebook takes about one minute
A notebook in OneNote is a container that holds all your notes on a single topic or project. Think of it like a physical notebook — you create a new one when you want to start organizing notes separately from what you already have. You can create a new notebook directly from OneNote on your computer, phone, or through the web version, and the steps are nearly identical across all three.
The fastest way is to open OneNote, look for the "New Notebook" or "+" button near your notebook list, and follow the prompts to name it and choose where to save it. On a computer, this takes about 30 seconds. On a phone, it takes slightly longer because you have to type on a smaller screen, but the process is the same.
Key Takeaways
- A new notebook in OneNote starts empty and can hold multiple sections, each with its own pages for different topics.
- On Windows or Mac, click the "+" icon next to your notebook list or go to File menu to create a new notebook.
- On iPhone, iPad, or Android, tap the menu icon and select "New Notebook" from the options.
- You choose where the notebook saves — either to your OneDrive, your computer, or a shared location like SharePoint.
- After you create the notebook, you can immediately add sections and pages to organize your notes inside it.
Creating a notebook on Windows or Mac
Open OneNote on your computer. On the left side, you will see a list of your current notebooks. At the bottom of that list, look for a "+" icon or a button that says "New Notebook." Click it.
A dialog box will appear asking you to name your notebook. Type a name that describes what the notebook is for — for example, "Project Alpha" or "Recipes" or "Meeting Notes 2024." The name can be changed later, so do not worry about getting it perfect right now.
Next, OneNote asks where you want to save the notebook. You will see options like "OneDrive," "This Computer," or "SharePoint." If you choose OneDrive, your notebook syncs across all your devices automatically, and you can share it with other people. If you choose "This Computer," the notebook stays only on that machine. Most people choose OneDrive because it keeps everything in sync. Click the location you want, then click "Create Notebook."
OneNote will create the notebook and open it. You will see it listed on the left side now, and it will be empty except for a default section called "General." You can start adding pages to it right away, or create new sections first to organize your notes by topic.
Creating a notebook on iPhone, iPad, or Android
Open the OneNote app on your phone or tablet. At the top left or bottom of the screen, look for a menu icon — usually three horizontal lines or three dots. Tap it.
Scroll down until you see "New Notebook" or a "+" icon. Tap it. A screen will appear asking you to name the notebook. Type the name you want, then tap the next button or arrow to continue.
The app will ask where to save the notebook — usually OneDrive or your device storage. OneDrive is the better choice because it keeps your notes backed up and accessible from other devices. Tap your choice, then tap "Create" or "Done."
Your new notebook will appear in your notebook list. The process on a phone is slightly slower than on a computer because you are typing on a smaller screen, but it works the same way.
Creating a notebook through OneNote on the web
If you use OneNote in your web browser, go to OneNote.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. On the left side, you will see your notebook list. At the top or bottom of that list, look for a "+" icon or "New Notebook" button and click it.
Type the name for your notebook in the box that appears. Choose where you want it saved — usually OneDrive is already selected. Click "Create Notebook."
The web version works the same way as the desktop version, but you do not have to download or install anything. Your notebook will sync to the OneNote app on your computer and phone automatically if you use the same Microsoft account.
What happens after you create the notebook
After OneNote creates your notebook, it opens automatically and shows you a blank page. The notebook comes with one default section called "General." You can start typing notes on this page right away, or you can create new sections first to organize your notes by topic.
To add a new section, look for the "+" icon next to the section tabs at the top of the page, or right-click on the "General" section and select "New Section." To add a new page within a section, look for the "+" icon on the right side of the page list and click it.
Your notebook will sync automatically if you saved it to OneDrive. If you saved it to your computer only, it will not sync to other devices unless you move it to OneDrive later.
Moving or renaming a notebook after you create it
If you need to rename your notebook, right-click on the notebook name in the list on the left side and select "Rename Notebook." Type the new name and press Enter. This works on Windows, Mac, and the web version.
On a phone, tap and hold the notebook name, then select "Rename" from the menu that appears. The process is the same, just adapted for a touch screen.
Moving a notebook to a different location is more complicated and depends on where you saved it originally. If you saved it to OneDrive, you can move it by going to OneDrive.com in your browser and dragging the notebook folder to a new location. If you saved it to your computer only, you will need to move the folder using your file manager (Windows Explorer on Windows, Finder on Mac). After you move it, you may need to close and reopen OneNote for it to find the notebook in its new location.
Troubleshooting: notebook did not create or does not appear
If you clicked "Create Notebook" but nothing happened, check that you are signed in to your Microsoft account. OneNote requires a Microsoft account to create notebooks. If you are not signed in, sign in first, then try creating the notebook again.
If the notebook was created but does not appear in your list, try closing OneNote completely and opening it again. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to show a newly created notebook. On a phone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or use the app switcher) to close OneNote completely, then open it again.
If you saved the notebook to OneDrive but it is not syncing to your other devices, make sure you are signed in to the same Microsoft account on all devices. OneNote syncs only between devices that use the same account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a notebook and share it with other people right away?
Yes. After you create the notebook, right-click on it and select "Share." You can then type the email addresses of people you want to share it with. They will get an email with a link to the notebook. This works only if you saved the notebook to OneDrive or SharePoint, not if you saved it to your computer only.
What is the difference between a notebook, a section, and a page?
A notebook is the top level — the whole container. Inside a notebook are sections, which are like chapters. Inside each section are pages, which are where you actually type your notes. You create the notebook first, then add sections and pages inside it as needed.
Do I have to use the default "General" section that comes with a new notebook?
No. You can delete the "General" section and create your own sections with names that make sense for your notebook. Right-click on "General" and select "Delete Section" to remove it, then create new sections by clicking the "+" icon next to the section tabs.
If I create a notebook on my phone, will it appear on my computer?
Yes, if you saved it to OneDrive. Open OneNote on your computer, sign in with the same Microsoft account, and the notebook will appear in your list. If you saved it to your phone's storage only, it will not appear on your computer.
Can I create a notebook without a Microsoft account?
No. OneNote requires a Microsoft account to create and save notebooks. If you do not have one, you can create a free account at Microsoft.com. After you create an account, you can use it to sign in to OneNote and create notebooks.