Creating a notebook takes one minute and happens in the same place you open existing ones

A notebook in OneNote is the container that holds all your sections and pages — think of it like a physical binder. To create a new one, open OneNote and look for the "Create Notebook" button or link. On the web version, this appears in the left sidebar. On the desktop app for Windows or Mac, go to File menu and select "New" then "Notebook". On mobile apps, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and look for "New Notebook".

OneNote will ask you to name the notebook and choose where to store it. The name should describe what you'll use it for — "Work Projects", "Home Renovation", "Class Notes" — something you'll recognize six months from now. The storage location depends on which version you're using: cloud-based notebooks sync across all your devices, while local notebooks stay only on that computer.

Key Takeaways

  • A new notebook starts empty and contains no sections or pages until you add them yourself.
  • You can create notebooks that store in OneDrive (synced across devices) or locally on your computer (single device only).
  • The notebook name should describe its purpose so you can find it quickly when you have multiple notebooks open.
  • After creating a notebook, your next step is to add sections, then pages within those sections.

Choosing between cloud storage and local storage

When OneNote asks where to store your notebook, you'll see two main options. A cloud-based notebook saves to OneDrive (Microsoft's cloud storage) and automatically syncs to your phone, tablet, and any other computer where you sign in. This is the default and the better choice for most people because your notes follow you everywhere.

A local notebook saves only to that specific computer's hard drive. Choose this only if you have a reason to keep notes off the internet — for instance, sensitive work documents your employer requires to stay on company machines. Local notebooks don't sync, so changes you make on your laptop won't appear on your phone.

You can always create multiple notebooks with different storage types. Many people keep one cloud notebook for everyday notes and one local notebook for restricted information.

What happens when ready after you create a notebook

Once you name the notebook and confirm, OneNote creates it and opens it automatically. You'll see an empty notebook with one blank section already created — usually called "Untitled Section" or similar. This first section is ready for you to add pages to it right away.

You don't need to do anything else to "finish" creating the notebook. It exists now and will appear in your notebook list whenever you open OneNote. If you're using the cloud version, it's already syncing to OneDrive in the background, so you can access it from other devices when ready.

Renaming or moving a notebook after creation

If you named the notebook something generic and want to change it later, you can rename it. Right-click the notebook name (on desktop) or tap and hold it (on mobile), then select "Rename". Type the new name and confirm. The change takes effect when ready.

Moving a cloud-based notebook to a different OneDrive folder is more involved and usually not necessary — OneNote manages the storage location for you. If you created a local notebook and later want to move it to the cloud, you'll need to export the notebook and import it into a new cloud notebook, which is a multi-step process. It's easier to create the notebook in the right place from the start.

Adding sections and pages to your new notebook

Your new notebook starts with one empty section. To add more sections, right-click in the section area and select "New Section", or look for a plus icon next to the section tabs. Name each section for a major category — "January", "Client A", "Research" — whatever makes sense for how you organize information.

Within each section, you create pages. Pages are where you actually write notes. Click the plus icon next to a section name, or right-click and select "New Page". Each page gets its own title, and you can create as many as you need. Most people create a new page for each topic, meeting, or day, depending on their workflow.

Organizing multiple notebooks

If you create several notebooks, OneNote displays them all in your notebook list. On the web and desktop versions, you'll see them in the left sidebar. On mobile, they appear in a dropdown menu. You can switch between notebooks by clicking the one you want to open.

There's no hard rule for how many notebooks to create. Some people use one notebook for everything and organize it with many sections. Others create separate notebooks for work, personal, and projects. The best approach depends on how you think — if you naturally separate ideas into distinct categories, multiple notebooks work well. If you prefer everything in one place, one large notebook with many sections is fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a notebook after I create it?

Yes. Right-click the notebook name and select "Delete Notebook". OneNote will ask you to confirm. If it's a cloud notebook, the deletion syncs across all your devices. Local notebooks delete only from that computer. Deleted notebooks go to your OneDrive recycle bin for 93 days before permanent deletion.

What's the difference between a section and a page?

A notebook contains sections, and sections contain pages. Pages are where you write. Think of it like a physical binder: the binder is the notebook, the dividers are sections, and the sheets of paper are pages. You write on pages, organize pages into sections, and organize sections into notebooks.

Can I share a notebook I just created?

Yes, but only cloud notebooks. Right-click the notebook and select "Share". You can send a link to other people or invite them by email. They'll see the notebook in their own OneNote and can view or edit it depending on the permissions you set. Local notebooks cannot be shared because they exist only on your computer.

Do I need to do anything to save a new notebook?

No. OneNote saves automatically as you type. Cloud notebooks sync to OneDrive continuously, so there's no manual save step. Local notebooks save to your hard drive automatically as well. You never need to press a save button or worry about losing your work.

Can I create a notebook on my phone?

Yes, on the OneNote mobile app. Tap the menu icon (three lines), then "New Notebook". Name it and choose where to store it. The process is the same as on desktop, though the buttons are in different places. Mobile notebooks are always cloud-based and sync when ready to your other devices.