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Can I use OneNote offline?

Author

Sophia Sparks

Published Feb 16, 2026

Can I use OneNote offline?

Can I use Microsoft OneNote offline? You can! You'll need to sync your notebook with OneDrive before going offline, then OneNote automatically syncs your changes as you work. If at any time you lose your Internet connection or turn it off, any pending changes will sync as soon as you're back online.

Subsequently, one may also ask, can you use OneNote without Internet?

You can use either of the apps offline (universal store app or desktop OneNote 2016) at anytime, but your changes will not sync to the cloud and be available to any other devices without the internet connection.

Furthermore, can you save OneNote locally? In particular, many pointed out that they need to save OneNote notebook files in their local offline storage. In the latest versions of OneNote -- specifically, our apps on Windows 10, Mac, iOS, Android, and OneNote Online -- your notebooks are stored in the cloud so you can access them from anywhere.

Also to know is, why is my OneNote working offline?

To work offline, click File >View Sync Status. In the Shared Notebook Synchronization dialog box, click Work offline. Important: When you work offline, OneNote no longer attempts to synchronize any notebook changes that you make on your computer, even if you exit and restart OneNote at a later time.

How do I download OneNote offline?

Go to and sign in with your Microsoft credentials.

  1. You will see your notebooks. Right click the one you want to export.
  2. There is an option Export notebook . Click that.
  3. A popup window appears and you can click export to download locally (it also lets you choose where to save it).

Where are my OneNote files saved?

Change the default storage location for backup files
  1. On Windows 10, the Backup folder for your notebooks is located at C:Usersuser nameAppDataLocalMicrosoftOneNoteversionBackup.
  2. On Windows Vista, the Backup folder for your notebooks is located at C:Usersuser nameAppDataMicrosoftOneNote12.0Backup.

Can I use OneNote without OneDrive?

OneNote will still be able to open it. You just cannot share it very easily (or effectively). * this is not currently an option for iOS, Android or OSX versions of OneNote, your only option is to use OneDrive syncing. You don't 'need to put it on OneDrive', OneNote does!

Can I use Office 365 without Internet connection?

You can use Office 365 offline (without internet access) if you download and install the desktop version of Office with your plan. You have to connect to the internet every 30 days to maintain your subscription and Office 365 tells you when it's time to connect.

Does Microsoft Word work offline?

While Microsoft's Office 365 subscription-based plans require Internet access to sign up, you can still use Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Office applications while you're offline. You will, however, need to go online every 30 days to maintain your subscription and prevent the apps from de-activating.

Do you have to have Office 365 to use OneNote?

OneNote is a built in app, with Windows 10. You would be able to use the OneNote app without purchasing office 365 subscription. You are prompted to enter the subscription/license for OneNote is because, you might be clicking on OneNote desktop icon, which is a part of Office suite.

Can I use OneNote on my iPhone?

You can use Microsoft OneNote on your iPad or iPhone to keep in sync with any notebooks that you've created with OneNote 2016 on your Mac or PC, even if you use different cloud-based accounts for these two versions of OneNote.

Can you access OneDrive offline?

Files you save to OneDrive are available online at OneDrive.com and offline on your PC. That means you can open and change them anytime, even when you're not connected to the internet. Offline files come in handy when you're without an internet connection, but they also take up space on your PC.

How do I manually sync OneNote?

To sync notebooks in OneNote manually, click the Notebook drop-down, right-click a notebook, and click the “Notebook Sync Status” command in the pop-up menu that appears. The “Shared Notebook Synchronization” dialog box will open. Then click the “Sync manually” option in the top section.

How do I stop OneNote from syncing?

But if you want to disable OneDrive syncing, it is very easy. Just click on the “File” Menu, then from the “Info” menu, click on “View Sync” Status”. A small window will open with a list of all your notebooks. Click on “Sync Manually” and from now on, OneNote will no longer sync automatically to OneDrive.

How do I sync OneNote with OneDrive?

Move a OneNote notebook to OneDrive
  1. In OneNote 2016 or OneNote 2013, open the notebook that you want to share on OneDrive.
  2. Choose File > Share.
  3. Select a location for your notebook, or choose Add a Place and then sign into your OneDrive account.

How do I sync OneNote with iPhone?

Syncing iPhone
Type in your Windows Live ID and password. Tap “Sign In” to sign into your account on your iPhone. Tap the “Settings” icon on the top right of the iPhone's screen. Tap “Sync Now” to complete the process of syncing OneNote on an iPhone with a computer.

Does OneNote save automatically?

Unlike in other Microsoft Office applications, there's no Save command in OneNote. That's because manually saving your work in OneNote is never necessary. OneNote automatically and continually remembers and saves everything you do — including typing, editing, formatting, organizing, searching, and sharing your notes.

How do I sync OneNote to my IPAD?

Tap the three-dots menu in the upper right corner of the screen, and choose Sync (account name) notebook. Tip: To sync all notebooks, go to the list of notebooks. Tap the three-dots menu and then choose Sync all. Leave the device on until the sync is done.

How do I connect OneNote to the Internet?

Notebook won't sync on OneNote
  1. Go to File > Info,
  2. You should find the link to the notebook on the right side; copy it/alternatively right-click on the Notebook you want to sync, and click on Copy Link to Notebook,
  3. On the web browser of your choice, enter the link you just copied and hit enter to open the notebook.

How do I turn off offline files in Windows 10?

If you need to disable Offline Files, use the same Control Panel applet. Navigate to Control PanelAll Control Panel ItemsSync Center, click on the link Manage offline files on the left. In the next dialog, click on the button Disable Offline Files. Alternatively, you can use the provided Registry tweak to disable it.

How do I get OneNote to work?

Once you download the OneNote Android app and log in to your Office 365 account you can begin using OneNote on your smartphone anytime, anywhere. OneNote for Android has widgets for creating a new text note, audio note, and picture note. To use any of these widgets, simply tap and drag them to your phone's home screen.

Is OneNote private?

OneNote apps don't allow that choice. All notebooks have to be saved to OneDrive, whether you like it or not. That poses a privacy and security concern. OneNote Notebook Sections can be password protected but many users would prefer to keep their private notes entirely private by keeping them off the Internet.

How do I save a OneNote as a PDF?

Any changes you make later in OneNote, won't get changed in the PDF.
  1. On the page you want to export, click File > Export.
  2. Under Export Current, pick what you want to export.
  3. Select PDF (*pdf) and click Export.
  4. In the Save as dialog box, choose where you want to save your file.
  5. Give the file a name, and click Save.

Can you copy an entire notebook in OneNote?

No matter what version of OneNote you use, you can download a copy of any of your OneNote notebooks to your PC or Mac — either as a backup or to upload its contents to another account.

Can you save OneNote to Google Drive?

Find OneNote Notebook Folder Location
Launch OneNote and open the Notebook you'd like to upload to Google Docs. Click "File," "Save As" and then "Notebook." A "Save As" button appears. You will use this path name later when saving to Google Docs.

How do I transfer OneNote files to a new computer?

There are several ways to transfer files, the easiest being USB drive. First, make sure Microsoft OneNote isn't running on either computer. Plug your USB drive into computer A, send your notes from location A to your USB, plug the USB into computer B and copy the notes from it to location B.

Why does OneNote take so long to sync?

When OneNote can't access these locations, it could be because of any of the following reasons: You may be experiencing intermittent, temporary network or server connectivity issues. Wait a few minutes and try syncing your notebooks manually.

How do I save a shared OneNote?

Save a copy of a Class Notebook or Staff Notebook
  1. Navigate to OneNote.com and enter valid credentials for sign in.
  2. Click on the EDU Notebooks tab you want.
  3. Navigate to the notebook you want to save, right click on it, and click the Save a copy option.
  4. The Save a copy dialogue box will open.
  5. A Microsoft sign in screen will appear.

Where do closed notebooks go in OneNote?

OneNote for the web
  1. Click or tap the Show Notebook List button. until you see the list of notebooks.
  2. Right-click the name of the notebook you want to close, and then click Close This Notebook.
  3. To open the notebook again, click or tap More Notebooks in the Notebooks list.

How do I add OneNote to my desktop?

Click the Windows Start button in the lower-left corner, click All apps, and scroll to OneNote. Right-click the OneNote or OneNote desktop icon and choose Pin to Start. Repeat this step if you'd like to pin the other OneNote app to Start as well.

Is OneNote going away?

There is at least some good news for OneNote users. OneNote 2016 isn't going anywhere, or at least not yet. Although it won't be installed by default going forward, you can still install OneNote as a standalone addon for Office 365 and Office 2019.

Is OneNote being discontinued?

Microsoft executives said they'll hold off on adding new features, but won't discontinue the software, either. “OneNote 2016 is optionally available for anyone with Office 365 or Office 2019, but it will no longer be installed by default,” William Devereux of the OneNote team wrote in a blog post.

Which is better OneNote or Evernote?

It's hard to deny that OneNote offers better value for the money than Evernote. The free version of OneNote is more generous with storage and features than the free version of Evernote. The reason is because there is no paid version of OneNote. You can't buy it as a standalone app, and there are no options to upgrade.

Can I save OneNote locally?

In particular, many pointed out that they need to save OneNote notebook files in their local offline storage. In the latest versions of OneNote -- specifically, our apps on Windows 10, Mac, iOS, Android, and OneNote Online -- your notebooks are stored in the cloud so you can access them from anywhere.

Where are OneNote files stored?

OneNote 2016 stores all of your notes from your notebooks, which by default are stored in your Documents folder in their own specific folder. Alternatively, they are stored on Microsoft OneDrive. You can also store notebooks on a shared location on your network, or anywhere you want.

Is there a OneNote 2019?

Microsoft will not offer OneNote as an integral part of Office 2019. In future, anyone looking to use a local desktop version of OneNote in combination with Office 2019 will have to revert to – and install – the Windows 10 UWP version, which is available from the Windows 10 Store.

Does OneNote require Internet?

You can use either of the apps offline (universal store app or desktop OneNote 2016) at anytime, but your changes will not sync to the cloud and be available to any other devices without the internet connection.