Creating a new notebook takes three clicks

Open OneNote and look at the left sidebar. At the top, you'll see your current notebook name. Click the File menu at the very top left of your screen, then select New. OneNote will ask you where to save the notebook — choose either your computer or your OneDrive cloud storage — and give it a name. That's it. Your new notebook appears in the sidebar and is ready to use.

The location you choose matters. If you save to your computer only, you can only open it on that device. If you save to OneDrive, you can open it from any device where you're signed into your Microsoft account, and changes sync automatically. Most people choose OneDrive for this reason.

Key Takeaways

  • Create a new notebook by clicking File, then New, then choosing a storage location and entering a name.
  • OneDrive notebooks sync across all your devices, while computer-only notebooks stay on one machine.
  • You can organize notebooks into sections and pages once they're created, but the notebook itself is the top-level container.
  • If you're using OneNote in Microsoft 365 or the web version, the process is slightly different but equally straightforward.

Where OneNote stores your notebooks

When you create a new notebook, OneNote asks you to pick a location. The two main options are This PC (your local computer) and OneDrive (Microsoft's cloud storage). If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription or a free Microsoft account, OneDrive is already set up.

Choosing OneDrive means your notebook lives in the cloud. You can open it on your phone, tablet, laptop, or any other device where you sign in with the same Microsoft account. Changes you make on one device appear on all the others within seconds. Choosing This PC means the notebook stays only on that computer — useful if you want something completely offline or private to one machine, but you lose the ability to access it elsewhere.

If you're not sure which to pick, OneDrive is the safer choice for most people. You get automatic backups, access from anywhere, and you don't lose your work if your computer fails.

The difference between notebooks, sections, and pages

OneNote has three levels of organization, and they work like folders inside folders. A notebook is the largest container — think of it like a physical binder. Inside each notebook are sections, which are like dividers in that binder. Inside each section are pages, which are like individual sheets of paper where you actually write.

When you create a new notebook, you're creating the binder itself. It starts empty. You then add sections to it (right-click the notebook name and select New Section), and then add pages to those sections (right-click a section name and select New Page). Most people create one notebook per major project or area of life — one for work, one for personal notes, one for a class — and then organize the sections and pages inside based on what makes sense for that notebook.

Creating notebooks in OneNote Online

If you use OneNote through a web browser instead of the desktop app, the process is slightly different. Go to office.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and click the OneNote icon. Click Create Notebook or look for a plus icon to start a new one. You'll name it and choose which OneDrive folder to store it in, then OneNote creates it and opens it automatically.

OneNote Online notebooks always live on OneDrive — there's no option to save them locally. This means they're always accessible from any browser, but you need an internet connection to use them. The desktop version of OneNote (the app you download to your computer) gives you more flexibility with storage options and works offline, but the web version is faster to access if you're jumping between devices.

Organizing multiple notebooks

If you create several notebooks, they all appear in the left sidebar of OneNote. You can switch between them by clicking the notebook name. If the list gets long, you can right-click a notebook and select Pin to Quick Access to keep your most-used ones at the top, or Unpin to hide ones you use rarely.

You can also rename a notebook after you create it. Right-click the notebook name in the sidebar and select Rename Notebook. If you change your mind about where it's stored, you can move it between OneDrive and your computer, though this requires exporting and re-importing — it's easier to pick the right location when you create it.

What to do if you can't create a new notebook

If the File menu doesn't show a New option, or if OneNote won't let you save to OneDrive, check that you're signed into your Microsoft account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and look for your email address. If you see "Sign in" instead, click it and enter your Microsoft account credentials. OneNote won't create cloud notebooks unless you're signed in.

If you're signed in but still can't create a notebook, make sure you have storage space available. OneDrive gives you 5 GB free, and if you're over that limit, you'll need to delete files or buy more storage before creating new cloud notebooks. You can always create a notebook on This PC as a temporary workaround while you free up space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move a notebook after I create it?

You can move a notebook between OneDrive folders, but moving it between OneDrive and your computer requires exporting it as a file and re-importing it. It's simpler to choose the right location when you first create it. If you need to move it, right-click the notebook name and look for a Move or Rename option.

What happens if I delete a notebook?

If you delete a notebook stored on OneDrive, it goes to your OneDrive recycle bin and stays there for 93 days before OneNote permanently removes it. If you delete a notebook stored on This PC, it goes to your computer's recycle bin. You can restore it from there if you act quickly, but once you empty the recycle bin, it's gone for good.

Can I share a notebook with other people?

Yes, but only if it's stored on OneDrive. Right-click the notebook name and select Share. You can send a link to other people and control whether they can edit or just view. Notebooks stored on This PC can't be shared this way because they only exist on your computer.

Do I need a Microsoft 365 subscription to create notebooks?

No. OneNote is free, and you can create as many notebooks as you want with a free Microsoft account. A Microsoft 365 subscription gives you extra storage and some advanced features, but it's not required to use OneNote or create notebooks.