How to Export Evernote to OneNote

Evernote and OneNote are two of the most popular note-taking apps out there, each with its own loyal fanbase. But what if you've been using Evernote and want to give OneNote a try? Maybe you're curious about its features or find its integration with Microsoft products appealing. Whatever your reason, moving your notes from Evernote to OneNote can seem like a big task. Luckily, it's easier than you might think. Let's break it down step by step so you can make the transition smoothly.

Why Make the Switch from Evernote to OneNote?

Before we get into the steps, let's chat about why you might want to switch from Evernote to OneNote in the first place. Both platforms have their unique strengths, but a few features might sway you towards OneNote.

• Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem: If you're already using Microsoft Office for work or personal projects, OneNote integrates seamlessly with tools like Word, Excel, and Outlook. This can make your workflow feel much more unified.
• Free Features: OneNote offers a lot of its features for free, whereas Evernote has some restrictions unless you upgrade to a paid plan. For instance, you can sync notes across all your devices with OneNote without any charge.
• Organizational Tools: OneNote uses a notebook, section, and page hierarchy, which some users find more intuitive than Evernote's notebook and tag system.
• Collaboration: If you work in teams, OneNote's collaboration features can be a big plus. You can share notebooks and work on them simultaneously, which is handy for group projects or shared planning.

Of course, these are just a few reasons. Your personal preferences and needs will guide your choice. But if OneNote sounds like a better fit, let's move on to how you can make that transition.

Preparing Your Evernote Data for Export

First things first, you need to make sure all your data is ready to go. This means checking that your notes are organized and that you know exactly what you want to transfer. Here's a handy checklist:

• Review Your Notes: Go through your Evernote notebooks and decide which ones you want to keep. This is a great time to declutter and delete notes you no longer need.
• Organize Notebooks: If you have a chaotic system of notebooks and tags, try to tidy them up. Group related notes together to make the transfer process smoother.
• Check for Attachments: Make sure any important attachments are stored correctly within your notes. These should transfer over, but it's good to be aware of them.

Once you've done this prep work, you're ready to start the export process. Trust me, taking a few minutes to organize will save you a lot of hassle later.

Exporting Your Evernote Notes

Now that you're all set, let's get those notes out of Evernote. Thankfully, Evernote provides a straightforward way to export your data.

1. Open Evernote: Start by opening Evernote on your desktop. The export functionality isn't available on the mobile app, so you'll need to use the desktop version.
2. Select Notebooks: Choose the notebook you want to export. You can do this by clicking on it in the sidebar. If you want to export all your notes, you can do this one notebook at a time or select them all together.
3. Export Notes: With your notebook selected, go to File > Export Notes. This will open a dialog box where you can choose your export format.
4. Choose ENEX Format: To move your notes to OneNote, you'll need to export them in the ENEX format, which is Evernote's own export file type. Select ENEX and hit Save.

And just like that, your Evernote notes are now ready to be imported into OneNote. Keep that ENEX file handy. You'll need it in the next step.

Importing Notes into OneNote

With your notes safely exported, we can now shift our focus to OneNote. Microsoft has a nifty tool called the OneNote Importer that simplifies this process significantly.

1. Download OneNote Importer: Head over to the official Microsoft site and download the OneNote Importer tool. It's a small application that you'll install on your computer.
2. Launch the Importer: Open the tool, and you'll be greeted with a welcome screen. Click Get Started to begin the import process.
3. Select Your ENEX File: The importer will prompt you to select the ENEX file you exported from Evernote. Navigate to where you saved it and click Open.
4. Sign In to Your Microsoft Account: You'll need to sign in with your Microsoft account to proceed. If you don't have an account, you'll need to create one.
5. Choose Your Notebook: The tool will let you choose which OneNote notebook to import your notes into. You can create a new notebook or add to an existing one.
6. Start the Import: Once everything looks good, click Import. Depending on how many notes you have, this might take a little while.

And there you have it! Your Evernote notes are now living happily in OneNote. But we're not quite done yet. Let's make sure everything looks the way it should.

Checking Your Imported Notes

After the import, it's a good idea to review your notes in OneNote. Here's how you can ensure everything is in place:

• Open OneNote: Start by opening OneNote and navigating to the notebook where your notes were imported.
• Check the Layout: Browse through your notes to ensure they're organized correctly. The structure might look a little different, but your content should be intact.
• Verify Attachments: Make sure any attachments, like images or PDFs, are accessible and correctly placed within your notes.
• Look for Formatting Issues: Occasionally, you might find small formatting differences. Take note of these and adjust them as needed.

If you find any major discrepancies, you might need to manually adjust a few things. This is also a perfect time to get familiar with OneNote's tools. Adjust the layout, add sections, and play around with the features to make sure everything is perfect for your workflow.

Organizing Your Notes in OneNote

Now that your notes are in OneNote, let's talk organization. OneNote uses a different system than Evernote, so here are a few tips to get you started:

• Understanding the Structure: OneNote organizes information into notebooks, sections, and pages. Think of notebooks as your main folders, sections as subfolders, and pages as the individual notes.
• Creating Sections: Use sections to group related pages together. For instance, if you have notes on different projects, each project could have its own section.
• Utilizing Tags: OneNote offers a variety of tags that you can use to categorize and prioritize your notes. Explore tags like To Do, Important, or Question to help you manage tasks and information.
• Using Search: OneNote's search feature is powerful. You can quickly find notes by keyword, tag, or even date. This can be a lifesaver when you're working with a large volume of notes.

Getting used to OneNote's system might take a little time, but once you do, you'll likely find it quite efficient. And remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Feel free to experiment until you find a setup that works for you.

Exploring OneNote's Features

OneNote offers a range of features that can enhance your note-taking experience. Here's a quick rundown of some you might find particularly useful:

• Drawing and Handwriting: If you have a touchscreen device, you can draw or handwrite notes directly in OneNote. This can be especially helpful for diagrams or quick sketches.
• Audio Recording: You can record audio directly into your notes. This is fantastic for meetings or lectures where you want to capture information without typing everything out.
• Page Templates: OneNote offers a variety of page templates for different scenarios. Whether you need a planner, to-do list, or meeting agenda, there's likely a template that fits your needs.
• Integration with Other Apps: OneNote integrates with other Microsoft apps, making it easy to pull in data from Excel, Word, or Outlook.
• Collaboration Tools: Share your notebooks with others and collaborate in real-time. This is great for projects or any situation where you need to work with others.

These features can make your note-taking more dynamic and interactive. Don't be afraid to try them out and see which ones enhance your workflow the most.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Even with the best preparations, things can occasionally go awry. Here are some common issues you might encounter during the transition and how to troubleshoot them:

• Notes Didn't Import: If some notes didn't make it over, try re-exporting the problematic notebooks from Evernote and re-importing them into OneNote.
• Formatting Problems: If the formatting looks off, adjust it manually in OneNote. You might also want to check the original note in Evernote to see if there were any unusual formatting choices.
• Missing Attachments: If attachments didn't transfer, download them from Evernote and manually add them to the corresponding note in OneNote.

If you're struggling with a specific issue, Microsoft's support forums are a great resource. You can also reach out to their customer support for more personalized assistance.

Leveraging Spell for Document Management

Now, while OneNote is a powerful tool on its own, you might find yourself needing to produce more polished documents at times. This is where Spell can come in handy. Imagine being able to draft, edit, and refine documents in one place without the hassle of jumping between tools.

With Spell, you can turn hours of work into minutes. Simply describe what you need, and Spell takes care of the rest, offering a high-quality draft in seconds. Plus, if you ever need to make changes, you can do so using natural language prompts, keeping everything neat and tidy in one platform. It's like having a supercharged document editor at your fingertips, making your workflow even more efficient.

Maintaining Your Notes Going Forward

Congratulations on making the switch! Now that your notes are in OneNote, here are a few tips for keeping them organized and up-to-date:

• Regular Backups: Always keep a backup of your important notes. While OneNote syncs across devices, having an extra backup is never a bad idea.
• Review and Clean: Periodically review your notes and clean up any that are no longer needed. This keeps your system clutter-free and efficient.
• Explore New Features: OneNote is constantly evolving. Keep an eye out for new features that could further improve your note-taking experience.

By maintaining your notes and staying organized, you'll get the most out of OneNote and ensure that your information is always at your fingertips.

Final Thoughts

Switching from Evernote to OneNote might seem like a big step. But with the right approach, it's a smooth process. By exporting your notes, importing them into OneNote, and getting familiar with its features, you'll be well on your way to a more integrated and efficient note-taking experience. And if you ever need to create polished documents quickly, Spell is there to help you go from idea to finished product in no time. Happy note-taking!