Delete a notebook in OneNote by right-clicking it and selecting delete, or by removing it from your account settings

The fastest way to delete a notebook in OneNote depends on which version you use. In OneNote for Windows, Mac, or the web, right-click the notebook name in the left sidebar and choose Delete. The notebook moves to your recycle bin for 93 days before permanent removal, giving you time to recover it if you change your mind. On mobile apps, the process is slightly different but takes the same number of steps.

Deleting a notebook does not affect other notebooks or your OneNote account. It only removes that single notebook and all the sections and pages inside it. If the notebook is shared with others, those people lose access once deletion is complete.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click a notebook name in the sidebar and select Delete to remove it when ready in OneNote for Windows, Mac, or web.
  • Deleted notebooks stay in your recycle bin for 93 days, so you can restore them if you delete by mistake.
  • On iPhone or Android, open the notebook menu and choose Delete or Remove from This Device, depending on your app version.
  • Deleting a shared notebook removes it for everyone who had access, so confirm with collaborators first if the notebook contains shared work.
  • If you want to keep the content but remove the notebook from your view, you can hide it instead of deleting it.

Delete a notebook on Windows or Mac

Open OneNote and locate the notebook you want to remove in the left sidebar. Right-click the notebook name — not a section inside it, but the notebook title itself. A menu appears with several options. Select Delete.

OneNote asks you to confirm the deletion. Click Delete again to proceed. The notebook disappears from your sidebar when ready and moves to the recycle bin. You can still recover it within 93 days by going to File > Open > Recent Notebooks, finding the deleted notebook in the list, right-clicking it, and selecting Restore.

If you have not yet saved the notebook to your computer or cloud storage, deletion is permanent after the 93-day window closes. Notebooks stored in OneDrive or SharePoint can sometimes be recovered through those services' recycle bins as well, which may extend the recovery window.

Delete a notebook on the web version

Log into OneNote online at office.com or onenote.com. Find the notebook you want to delete in the left sidebar. Right-click the notebook name and select Delete from the menu that appears.

The web version removes the notebook from your sidebar right away. Like the desktop versions, it stays in your recycle bin for 93 days. To restore it, click the Settings gear icon in the top right, select Recycle Bin, find the notebook, and click Restore.

Delete a notebook on iPhone or Android

Open the OneNote app and go to the Notebooks tab at the bottom of the screen. Find the notebook you want to delete and swipe left on it (iPhone) or long-press it (Android). A menu appears with options including Delete or Remove from This Device.

On iPhone, select Delete to remove the notebook entirely. On Android, you may see Remove from This Device instead, which removes it from your phone but keeps it in your account online. To fully delete it, use the web version or desktop app. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Recover a deleted notebook within 93 days

If you delete a notebook by mistake, you have 93 days to restore it. On Windows or Mac, go to File > Open > Recent Notebooks. Scroll down to find the deleted notebook — it appears with a small trash icon next to its name. Right-click it and select Restore.

On the web version, click Settings (the gear icon) in the top right corner, then select Recycle Bin. Find the notebook in the list and click Restore. The notebook returns to your sidebar with all its sections and pages intact. After 93 days, OneNote permanently deletes the notebook and you cannot recover it.

Hide a notebook instead of deleting it

If you want to remove a notebook from view without deleting it, you can hide it instead. Right-click the notebook name and look for an option like Hide or Close (the exact wording varies by OneNote version). The notebook stays in your account but no longer appears in your sidebar.

To unhide a hidden notebook, go to File > Open > Recent Notebooks and look for the hidden notebook in the list. Click it to reopen it and it returns to your sidebar. This approach is useful if you want to archive a notebook temporarily or declutter your sidebar without losing the content.

What happens to shared notebooks when you delete them

If you delete a notebook that is shared with other people, those people lose access to it when ready. They cannot recover it even if you restore it within the 93-day window, unless you explicitly restore and reshare it with them. Before deleting a shared notebook, tell the people who use it so they can save any content they need.

If you are a collaborator on a shared notebook but not the owner, deleting it from your device removes it from your view only. The notebook stays in the owner's account and remains accessible to other collaborators. If you want to leave a shared notebook without deleting it for others, straightforward hide it or stop syncing it to your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete just one section instead of the whole notebook?

Yes. Right-click the section name (not the notebook name) in the sidebar and select Delete. The section is removed but the notebook stays. Sections also go to the recycle bin for 93 days, so you can restore them the same way you restore a notebook.

What if I delete a notebook and then can't find it in the recycle bin?

Check that you are looking in the right place. On Windows or Mac, go to File > Open > Recent Notebooks and scroll all the way down. On the web, click Settings > Recycle Bin. If the notebook is not there, it may have been permanently deleted or the 93 days have passed.

Does deleting a notebook free up storage space?

Yes, but only after the 93-day recycle bin period ends. While a notebook is in the recycle bin, it still counts toward your OneDrive or Microsoft 365 storage limit. Once it is permanently deleted, the space is freed up.

Can I delete a notebook if I don't own it?

No. Only the notebook owner can delete it. If you are a collaborator, you can hide it or remove it from your device, but you cannot delete it for everyone. Contact the owner if you want the notebook removed.