Microsoft OneNote is one of the popular note-taking solutions. The software is available on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Web. OneNote uses OneDrive to store and synchronize the data across platforms. Millions of users use the note-taking app there as it is free, comes with tons of features and sharing options out of the box.
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- Mac Os Versions
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With such popularity and usage, OneNote does come with some annoying behaviors. For example, you cannot synchronize data to other cloud storage platforms. And as you start using the service with multiple notebooks and sections across the devices, you might encounter OneNote sync error in the app. That has been the sore point of OneNote from the beginning, slow and unreliable syncing across the devices.
If you are someone stuck with OneNote sync error on your Windows or macOS, then that might be the perfect read for you. We will talk about the different ways to solve the syncing issue on the OneNote. Let us get started.
1. Check Notebook on the Web
One can quickly check if the issue is from the OneNote or the installed app on the PC.
Step 1: Open the OneNote desktop app and select any notebook.
Step 2: Move to File > Info and copy the Notebook path.
On iOS and macOS, as an example, you can access all your Microsoft To-Do tasks or Outlook Notes/Sticky Notes from Apple’s own Notes and Reminders.
Step 3: Open a web browser and paste the link.
On a Mac, open Notebook and move to Notebook section in the ribbon and select copy link to this notebook.
- Nov 20, 2018 OneNote saves progress by syncing to OneDrive for quick access to notebook files across all devices with OneDrive access (by web or by desktop or mobile application) Versions. Each instance of OneNote will present different features based on each method below: OneNote for Windows The Windows desktop app has the most available features for OneNote.
- Jun 23, 2020 An excellent note-taking app to collect and organize thoughts is a blessing in disguise. People use Evernote, OneNote, Bear Notes, Google Keep, and others, as a digital file cabinet.
If the Notebook is opening on the web, then the issue is with the installed app on the devices. Let’s fix that.
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Read More2. Update OneNote
Microsoft frequently provides OneNote updates across the platforms. On Windows, it maintains two versions of OneNote. Universal Windows app of OneNote and the Office 365 desktop app. The company decided to wave goodbye to the OneNote desktop app, but due to the popular demand, it reversed the decision and released the OneNote 2016 with the dark theme support.
The OneNote sync error could be due to the last app update that might have messed up the syncing in the app. Download the latest update for the OneNote.
For UWP (Universal Windows Platform) OneNote, open Microsoft Store and navigate to Downloads and Updates > Get Updates and install the latest version of the app. For OneNote Desktop, open the app and select File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
As for macOS, open the Mac App Store and go to updates and download the latest build of the app. Open the latest app and watch for the latest sync status.
3. Set the Notebook to Sync Automatically
By default, OneNote syncs the Notebooks automatically whenever you open the device on the PC or Mac. If you have somehow disabled it, then let’s switch it back on.
For the UWP app, open OneNote and move to Settings > Options and toggle on sync notebook automatically option from the menu. For the desktop OneNote, right-click on any Notebook and select Notebook Sync Status. Switch on the sync automatically whenever there are changes option.
4. Sync Notebooks Manually
If you are still facing sync issues on OneNote, then you might want to force the Notebooks and section to sync manually. For UWP, right-click on any notebook, and select Sync > Sync this notebook option.
For the OneNote desktop app, right-click on any Notebook and select Sync this notebook now option. You can also use the Shift + F9 keyboard shortcut to sync the select notebook manually. I mostly use the OneNote keyboard shortcuts.
The trick is the same for the macOS version too. Right-click on the notebook and select sync in this notebook or use the ‘command + S’ keyboard shortcut.
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Read More5. Reopen the Notebook
This trick has worked for many. Users can close the notebook and open it again from the same location. For the OneNote desktop, right-click on any notebook and select ‘Close this notebook’ option. Now open it by going into File > Open and select the Notebook from the OneDrive.
For the UWP app, right-click on any notebook and select the close notebook option. Open it again from the more notebook option.
6. Move Conflicting Notes to Another Section
You might have encountered the conflicted changes highlighted in red color in the notes. The behavior happens when you and your partner both make edits in the same note of the shared notebook.
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In such cases, you can move or copy the notes or sections in another notebook. Right-click on section and move or copy them to another notebook.
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Click here to see our onenote articles page7. Delete Space on PC and OneDrive
As I mentioned before, the software uses Microsoft OneDrive to sync the data across the devices. By default, it comes with only 5GB of storage, which quickly gets filled up due to images and videos. You can delete some of the OneDrive storage or opt for the Microsoft 365 subscription, which offers 1TB of cloud storage.
One can also optimize the inactive files to save some space. Open OneNote desktop and navigate to File > Options > Save and Backup and select the Optimize all files now option.
Resolve OneNote Syncing Issue
OneNote is an excellent service. But the syncing error is something to look out for a smooth experience across the devices. Use the guidelines above and resolve the syncing error from the OneNote.
Next up:OneNote software comes with a capable PDF functions. Read the post below to find the best tips and tricks for it.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextTop 6 OneNote PDF Tips and Tricks to Use It like a ProAlso See#Tips & Tricks #macos
Did You Know
Microsoft holds over 59,000 US and international patents.
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Purpose
This article is designed to guide OneNote users through an overview of its features as a desktop application and a web portal via the Office website.
Requirements
Either access point will be sufficient for using this guide. Choose one of the methods listed below:
- Access to Office 365
- For UO users, go to office.uoregon.edu, sign-in with your Duck ID and password, then select OneNote to proceed.
- OneNote Desktop application
- If you do not have the application, check the Program Files (Windows) or Applications (macOS) area to see if OneNote is installed.
- If it is not installed, UO users can download it via office.uoregon.edu, sign-in with your Duck ID and password, then select Install Office Apps, go through the installation process once downloaded, then open OneDrive from your operating system’s application folder.
- OneDrive access (default; highly recommended)
- Available via Office 365. OneNote saves progress by syncing to OneDrive for quick access to notebook files across all devices with OneDrive access (by web or by desktop or mobile application)
Versions
Each instance of OneNote will present different features based on each method below:
- OneNote for Windows
- The Windows desktop app has the most available features for OneNote.
- Allows for rich-text entry, list building, and web-formatted text heading levels
- Allows for insertion of tables, files, pictures, links, audio clips, stickers, Forms (from Microsoft Forms), meeting details (to connect to OneDrive), researcher tools, and math formula assistance (solving equations and graphing)
- OneNote Online
- It is nearly identical to the Windows desktop app in available features
- Allows for all other data entry except for researcher tools, math formula assistance
- Any files created or opened here will be saved to your OneDrive account
- OneNote for macOS
- Allows for most of the data entry methods described above but with fewer options
- Does not support Microsoft Forms compatibility, meeting details (with connection to OneDrive)
- No researcher tools are available and math formulas can be entered but with no additional assistance.
- Allows for most of the data entry methods described above but with fewer options
The versions will be mentioned alongside their respective features in the Primary Features section below.
Note: The OneNote Notebook window and Primary Features sections below showcase OneNote for Mac as it provides a baseline for the features of OneNote across current platforms and operating systems. Specific notes for features showcased in Windows and online versions are in development.
Key Terminology
Ribbon
- Located at the top of the OneNote application window, the Ribbon will contain all of the primary OneNote content types and features. There are a few tabs that separate the content types and settings by theme. On the far-right side of this area, the notifications, sharing, and additional settings menus are contained.
Notebook Frame
- The left-hand side of the window will contain the Notebook Frame which shows any open synced Notebooks and the Sections and Pages within the selected Notebook
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Pages
- Pages contain all entered content and content types in a OneNote file. All Primary Features (listed below) are entered on to a page and organized graphically according to the user’s desires.
Section
- A Section is the Notebook’s container for pages. Notebooks can contain as many Sections as a user desires.
Notebook
- A collection of Sections and Pages containing any entered content. Users may use Notebooks as a way to thematically organize their content.
OneNote Notebook window
The OneNote Notebook is where users can add take notes and organize thoughts using various content types and wide adaptability. The window will look like this:
- The Ribbon Menu will contain all of the primary OneNote content types and features. This section also showcases the notifications and sharing settings.
- The Notebook content frame will show each open synced notebook, associated sections, and respective pages.
- The Page Editor frame is where content is add to a page. Click anywhere to enter text and select the Insert tab to add other content types.
Mac Os Versions
Primary Features
OneNote is designed to act as an online notebook for many types of note-taking styles, organizational methods, and offers wide adaptability of content. The following list is located in the Ribbon menu at the top of the application window.
Home tab
The Home tab is the home for most of the primary features of OneNote which includes:
- Cut, copy, paste, formatting
- Text font and size, rich text formatting (bold, italics, underline, links) and web headings
- Content types that can be added to for note-taking
Insert tab
The Insert tab allows for tables, pictures, links, equations, calendar appointments, audio recording, arrows, and stickers. To use them, select the desired content type
- Tables, pictures, PDF printouts, files, links, equations, date(s), date(s)/time(s)
- Arrows, shapes, and audio recording
Draw tab
The Draw tab allows for mass selection of content on a page, freehand drawing tools (pen, marker, highlighter) and different line thicknesses.
- Selection and content spacing methods
- Types of drawing tools (eraser, pen, marker, highlighter)
- Colors and additional details for the drawing tools (pen is showcased here)
View tab
The View tab allows for adapting the active window to the user’s needs. Users can zoom in and out, add a password, change the color and style of the active page and to check for accessibility.
- Manipulation of OneNote display features
- Zoom and page width
- Security, paper style, and accessibility tools
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Class Notebook tab
The Class Notebook tab may appear on some accounts. It is designed to have teacher-student interaction within the software however any correspondence and collaboration may only occur with UO-affiliated persons with @uoregon.edu email addresses.
Considerations
Syncing
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If OneNote opens without any issues and is aligned to your OneDrive account, any changes made to the OneNote file will be available on all machines in which you access your file.
Note: The file and the order any of your OneNote notebooks are not going to match precisely across devices but the content will still save automatically and be in sync.
Opening files from other locations
OneNote like other programs will allow for files to be stored on a computer that is not synced via OneDrive.
Note: OneNote is designed for the cloud: one file accessible via multiple entry points and synced to a central repository. OneNote will still work if files are isolated to one computer or device but syncing will need to be done manually in that case.