OneNote is a fantastic tool for organizing your thoughts, assignments, or even just keeping track of random doodles and ideas. But what happens when your digital notebook gets cluttered? If your OneNote is starting to look like a teenager's bedroom, you might be wondering how to clean it up a bit. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to remove notebooks from OneNote. This will make your workspace as tidy and organized as you want it to be.
Why Would You Remove a Notebook?
Before we jump into the steps, let's address the why. Why even bother removing a notebook? Well, there are several reasons you might want to do this:
- Decluttering: Keeping only the notebooks you actively use can make finding important notes quicker and easier.
- Privacy: Sometimes, you have shared notebooks that are no longer relevant. Removing them ensures you're not sharing unnecessary information.
- Space Management: If you're running low on storage, removing old notebooks can help free up some space.
Whatever your reason, removing a notebook from OneNote can make your digital life a little less cluttered. And who doesn't want that?
Removing Notebooks from OneNote on Windows
If you're using OneNote on a Windows PC, removing a notebook is straightforward. Here's how you do it:
- Open OneNote: Fire up your OneNote application. Make sure you're signed in with the account that has the notebook you want to remove.
- Choose the Notebook: Navigate to the notebook you want to remove. You can find a list of your notebooks by clicking on the arrow next to the notebook name at the top.
- Close Notebook: Right-click on the notebook you wish to remove and select Close This Notebook from the context menu.
- Confirm Removal: A prompt might appear to confirm your action. Confirm by clicking Yes or Close.
Voila! The notebook is no longer cluttering your OneNote workspace. Remember, this action doesn't delete the notebook from the cloud. It just removes it from your view in the app.
Removing Notebooks from OneNote on Mac
For Mac users, the process is slightly different but just as simple:
- Launch OneNote: Open the OneNote app on your Mac and ensure you're logged in.
- Select the Notebook: Click on the Notebooks dropdown on the left side to view all your notebooks.
- Remove the Notebook: Control-click (or right-click if you have a mouse) the notebook you want to remove and choose Close This Notebook.
- Final Step: Confirm any prompts to ensure your notebook is removed from your list.
And just like that, your Mac's OneNote workspace is a little more organized.

Removing Notebooks from OneNote on the Web
Maybe you prefer to use OneNote on the web. No worries. Removing a notebook here is just as easy:
- Access OneNote Online: Head to OneNote Online and log in.
- Navigate to Your Notebooks: Click on the notebook icon to view all your notebooks.
- Select and Remove: Click the three dots next to the notebook you wish to remove and select Close.
- Confirm: Follow any additional prompts to complete the removal.
Now your online workspace is clean and ready for new ideas!
What Happens After You Remove a Notebook?
Removing a notebook from your OneNote interface is more like hiding it rather than deleting it. This action:
- Does not delete the notebook from your OneDrive or local storage.
- Means you can always re-open it later if you need to.
- Frees up mental space, making it easier to focus on what's important.
So feel free to remove notebooks without the anxiety of losing your work forever.
Deleting Notebooks Permanently
Now, what if you want to permanently delete a notebook? This is a bit more involved but still doable:
- Open OneDrive: Since OneNote saves your notebooks in OneDrive, you'll need to access it there. Go to OneDrive.
- Find Your Notebook: Navigate to the Documents folder where OneNote saves your notebooks.
- Delete the Notebook: Right-click on the notebook you want to delete and choose Delete.
- Confirm Deletion: Make sure to check your OneDrive's Recycle Bin to permanently remove it from your storage.
Remember, this action is permanent. Once deleted from the Recycle Bin, the notebook is gone for good. So make sure you really want to say goodbye before hitting that delete button!
Removing Notebooks from OneNote on Mobile
For those of you who use OneNote on your mobile device, here's how you can remove a notebook:
- Open the App: Launch OneNote on your smartphone or tablet.
- Navigate to Notebooks: Tap on the Notebooks tab to see your list of notebooks.
- Remove the Notebook: Tap and hold on the notebook you wish to remove, then select Close.
- Final Confirmation: If prompted, confirm your choice.
Removing notebooks on mobile ensures your app isn't bogged down with unnecessary data, keeping your phone running smoothly.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes things don't go as planned. Here are some common issues you might face and how to resolve them:
- Notebook Not Closing: Make sure you're connected to the internet, especially if you're using OneNote Online or syncing with OneDrive.
- Can't Find the Delete Option: Double-check that you're looking in OneDrive, as that's where the actual storage deletion can occur.
- Notebook Reappearing: This could be due to a sync issue. Try logging out and back in, or check your OneDrive settings.
If all else fails, a quick search in OneNote's help section or a visit to the Microsoft support forum can be a lifesaver.


Streamlining Your Workflow with Spell
While organizing your OneNote, you might realize that creating and managing documents could be even easier. That's where Spell comes into play. Spell can help you create, edit, and share polished, high-quality docs in no time. It's like having a personal assistant that ensures your documents are always in top shape. Imagine skipping the tedious process of drafting and jumping straight into refining your ideas. It's a game-changer for productivity.
Reopening Closed Notebooks
Maybe you removed a notebook and now wish to access it again. No worries. Reopening a closed notebook is a piece of cake:
- Open OneNote: Go to your OneNote app or online platform.
- Access Your Notebooks: Click on the notebook dropdown.
- Reopen the Notebook: Find the notebook you closed and click Open.
And just like that, your notebook is back in the lineup, ready for you to dive back into your notes.
Final Thoughts
Removing notebooks from OneNote is a straightforward process that can help you keep your digital workspace clean and efficient. Whether you're closing notebooks temporarily or deleting them permanently, the steps are manageable. Spell makes document creation and editing even smoother, ensuring you have more time to focus on what truly matters. Embrace the neatness and watch your productivity soar!