Solved: How do I Close and delete Notebook in Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is like having a digital Swiss Army knife for note-taking. It’s your trusty tool to capture important information, jot down ideas, and manage your tasks in an organized and structured manner. But just like any workspace, it can get a bit cluttered over time, and you might find yourself needing to clean up by removing old or no longer needed notebooks.

Now, you might be wondering, “How do I go about this?” Well, OneNote is designed with your data’s safety in mind. It doesn’t let you delete a notebook directly from its interface to prevent accidental mishaps. You can only close it within the app. To fully bid farewell to a notebook, you need to take action at its source location, whether that’s on your Windows computer or within your OneDrive storage.

In this tutorial, we’re here to guide you through the process of closing and deleting a notebook in Microsoft OneNote, and we’ve got you covered no matter which platform you’re using: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, or the web. Let’s dive in and tidy up your OneNote workspace with confidence!

Cleaning Up Your OneNote Notebook on Windows

In OneNote for Windows, you can keep your notebooks right on your computer or store them in your OneDrive. But what if you have a notebook you no longer need and want to get rid of it? Here’s a straightforward guide:

Close the Notebook

First, make sure the notebook you want to delete is not currently open in the OneNote app. If it is, simply close it. Here’s how you do it:

Step 1: Open OneNote
Start by launching the OneNote application on your Windows computer.

Step 2: Unhide the Sidebar
In OneNote, look for a small icon with three stacked lines, usually located at the top left corner of the screen. Click on it to reveal a list of your notebooks.

Step 3: Right-Click and Close
Now, right-click on the name of the notebook you want to close. From the menu that appears, select “Close This Notebook.”

By following these steps, you ensure that the notebook is properly closed, setting the stage for its removal from your OneNote workspace.

Locate Your Notebook on Local Storage and Delete it

Next, you need to find where your notebooks are stored on your computer. Think of it as your notebook’s home on your device. If you’re looking to delete a OneNote notebook that’s stored on your Windows PC’s local storage, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open File Explorer
Start by opening File Explorer. You can do this by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E.

Step 2: Navigate to Your Notebooks
In File Explorer, go to the “Documents” folder. Inside “Documents,” you’ll find a folder called “OneNote Documents.” This is usually where OneNote saves notebooks by default. However, if you’ve been saving your notebooks in a different location, navigate to that folder.

Note: If you’re having trouble locating the notebook file, you can always reopen it in OneNote, right-click the notebook’s name, and select “Properties” to see where it’s stored.

Step 3: Select and Delete
Once you’ve found the notebook you want to delete, simply click on it to select it, and then press the “Delete” key on your keyboard.

Remember, the deleted OneNote notebook isn’t gone forever just yet—it’s hanging out in your Windows Recycle Bin. You’ve got a 30-day grace period to change your mind. If you’re absolutely sure you want it gone for good, open the Recycle Bin, locate the notebook in the list of deleted items, right-click on it, and select “Delete” to permanently remove it.

By following these steps, you’ll successfully declutter your computer and free up some storage space.

Removing a OneNote Notebook from OneDrive

If you want to delete a OneNote notebook that’s synced with OneDrive, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open OneDrive
To start, you’ll need to access your OneDrive storage. If you have the OneDrive app on your computer, you can do this via File Explorer. Just find the OneDrive folder there and open it. If you don’t have the app on your PC, no worries! You can go to OneDrive.com using a web browser and log in with your Microsoft Office account.

Step 2: Find Your Notebook
Next, navigate to where your OneNote notebook is stored in OneDrive. By default, OneNote notebooks are usually found within the “Documents” folder in OneDrive.

Step 3: Delete It
Once you’ve located the notebook you want to remove, right-click on it and select “Delete.”

Keep in mind that when you delete a notebook in OneDrive, it doesn’t vanish immediately. It goes into OneDrive’s Recycle Bin, where it will hang around for 30 days, just in case you change your mind. During this time, you can restore it through the OneDrive web app.

By following these steps, you’ll successfully remove the notebook from OneDrive, decluttering your cloud storage and simplifying your digital life.

Removing a OneNote Notebook on Your Mac

If you’re using OneNote on your Mac, deleting a notebook is a breeze, thanks to the magic of OneDrive. Here’s how you do it:

Safely Shutting Down a Notebook in OneNote

Before you can delete a notebook in OneNote, it’s essential to close it properly to prevent any sync issues within the app. Here’s how to do it on your Mac:

Step 1: Open OneNote
Start by launching the OneNote application on your Mac.

Step 2: Find Your Notebook
Next, locate the notebook you want to delete. If you can’t see it in the sidebar, click on the “Show Navigation” button at the top-left of the OneNote window to reveal it.

Step 3: Close the Notebook
With your notebook selected, go to the “Notebooks” menu on the menu bar at the top of your screen. From there, hover over the “Notebooks” drop-down option and choose “Close This Notebook.”

By following these steps, you ensure that the notebook is properly closed within OneNote, which is a crucial step before you can delete it. This way, you’ll avoid any potential synchronization issues and keep your digital workspace running smoothly.

Deleting a OneNote Notebook from OneDrive

To completely remove a OneNote notebook, you’ll need to delete it from OneDrive. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Access OneDrive
First, you need to get to your OneDrive storage. You can do this in a couple of ways:

• If you prefer using a web browser like Safari, visit the OneDrive web app and sign in with your OneDrive account.
• If you have OneDrive set up on your Mac, open Finder and look for “OneDrive” on the sidebar. Click on it to open it.

Step 2: Locate the Documents Folder
In OneDrive, you’ll usually find your files and notebooks organized neatly. Open the “Documents” folder.

Step 3: Send It to the Trash
Now, find the notebook you want to delete, control-click (or right-click) on it, and choose “Move to Trash.”

Note: Don’t worry; this doesn’t mean it’s gone forever! Deleted notebooks typically hang out in OneDrive’s Trash for 30 days. So, if you accidentally deleted the wrong notebook or had a change of heart, you can still rescue it during this time by visiting the Recycle Bin in the OneDrive web app.

This simplicity is thanks to OneDrive, which seamlessly syncs your data across devices. So, whether you’re on a Mac or another platform, managing your notebooks is a breeze.

Getting Rid of a OneNote Notebook on Your Mobile Device

Deleting a notebook from your iPhone, iPad, or Android device is a bit of a two-step process, but it’s straightforward. You need to close the notebook in the OneNote app first and then use the OneDrive app or its web version to remove the notebook file for good.

Properly Shutting Down a Notebook in the OneNote App

Before you can bid farewell to a notebook in the OneNote app, you need to make sure it’s properly closed. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open OneNote
Start by opening the OneNote app on your device.

Step 2: Access Your Notebooks
Next, go to the “Notebooks” tab. Here, you’ll see a list of your notebooks.

Step 3: Close the Notebook
To close a notebook, swipe it to the left (on iOS) or long-press it (on Android) and tap “Close.” Confirm this action by tapping “Close” once more.

By following these steps, you ensure that the notebook is correctly closed within the OneNote app, setting the stage for its removal. This helps prevent any potential synchronization issues and keeps your digital workspace running smoothly.

Erasing a Notebook from OneDrive

To completely remove a notebook from OneDrive, follow these steps:

Step 1: Access OneDrive
First, you need to get to your OneDrive storage. You can do this in two ways:

• Open the OneDrive app on your mobile device.
• Alternatively, you can open a web browser like Safari, Chrome, or any other browser you prefer, and go to OneDrive.com. Sign in with your Microsoft account if prompted.

Step 2: Locate Your Notebook
Now, navigate to the location where your notebook is stored in OneDrive. You’ll usually find it neatly organized.

Step 3: Delete It
Once you’ve found the notebook you want to delete, tap the More icon (usually three dots) next to it. From the menu that appears, select “Delete.” Confirm this action by tapping “Delete” again when prompted.

By following these steps, you’ll successfully delete the notebook from your mobile device and ensure your digital workspace stays clean and organized.

Deleting a Notebook in the OneNote Web App

If you’re using the web version of Microsoft OneNote, you can swiftly delete a notebook through OneDrive. Here’s how:

Step 1: Visit OneNote.com
Start by visiting OneNote.com and sign in with your Microsoft Account. Once you’re in, look for the “Manage and Delete” option on the Home Screen, and click it. This will open up OneDrive.com in another browser tab.

Step 2: Find Your Notebook
Now, navigate to “My files” and then select “Documents.” In this section, locate the notebook you want to delete.

Step 3: Delete the Notebook
Once you’ve found the notebook, mark it for deletion and select the “Delete” button. If you’re using a mobile device, tap the More icon (usually three dots) next to the notebook and choose “Delete.”

Note: Sometimes, even after deleting a notebook, you might still see it in the OneNote app on your desktop or mobile device. If that happens, don’t worry; just make sure to close it within the OneNote app.

By following these steps, you’ll successfully remove the notebook using the OneNote web app and keep your digital workspace neat and tidy.

Streamline Your Microsoft OneNote Workspace

Maintaining a tidy and organized space in Microsoft OneNote is key to keeping your note-taking efficient and productive. Deleting notebooks that you no longer need is a smart move in this direction. Just keep in mind that if you ever change your mind or realize you deleted something important, you’ve got a 30-day window to restore it.

So, go ahead and declutter your OneNote workspace, simplify your digital life, and make room for new ideas and information without the clutter of old, unused notebooks.

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Deleting notebooks in OneNote