The quickest way to delete a notebook

To delete a notebook in OneNote, right-click the notebook name in the left sidebar and select Delete. OneNote will ask you to confirm — click Delete again. The notebook is then removed from your account, though OneNote keeps a copy in your recycle bin for 93 days in case you change your mind.

The exact steps differ slightly depending on whether you use OneNote on Windows, Mac, or the web version. The web version (OneNote.com) is the most straightforward, so if you get stuck on your desktop app, logging in through a browser often makes the process clearer.

One important detail: if the notebook is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, deleting it from OneNote does not delete the file itself — it only removes it from your OneNote app. The actual notebook file stays in your OneDrive or SharePoint folder until you delete it there separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click the notebook name in the sidebar and select Delete, then confirm the deletion.
  • OneNote keeps deleted notebooks in a recycle bin for 93 days, so you can restore one if you delete it by mistake.
  • Deleting a notebook from OneNote does not delete the file if it lives in OneDrive or SharePoint — you must delete it from that location separately.
  • If you cannot see the Delete option, check that you have permission to delete the notebook (you must be the owner or have admin rights).

Deleting a notebook on Windows OneNote

Open OneNote and look at the left sidebar where your notebook names appear. Right-click directly on the notebook you want to delete. A small menu will pop up with several options, including Delete. Click it.

OneNote will show a confirmation dialog asking "Are you sure you want to delete this notebook?" Click the Delete button in that dialog. The notebook then disappears from your sidebar when ready. If you realize you made a mistake within the next 93 days, you can restore it from the recycle bin — look for a trash icon or "Recycle Bin" option in your OneNote settings.

Deleting a notebook on Mac OneNote

The Mac version of OneNote works almost identically. Find the notebook name in the left sidebar, right-click it (or hold Control and click if your mouse has only one button), and select Delete Notebook from the menu that appears.

Confirm the deletion when prompted. The notebook is removed from your sidebar. Mac users can also restore a deleted notebook within 93 days by checking the recycle bin, which you can access through OneNote's settings menu.

Deleting a notebook through OneNote.com

If you use OneNote online at OneNote.com, the process is slightly different. Log in and look at the left sidebar. Find the notebook you want to delete, click the three dots (•••) next to its name, and select Delete Notebook from the dropdown menu.

Confirm the deletion. The notebook is removed from your list. OneNote.com also keeps deleted notebooks for 93 days, so you can restore it if needed by checking your recycle bin in the settings.

What happens to notebooks stored in OneDrive or SharePoint

If your notebook is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint (rather than locally on your computer), deleting it from OneNote only removes it from the app — the actual file remains in your OneDrive or SharePoint folder. This is a safety feature to prevent accidental data loss.

To fully delete such a notebook, you must delete the file from OneDrive or SharePoint separately. Open OneDrive.com or your SharePoint site, find the notebook file (usually named something like "Notebook Name.one"), right-click it, and select Delete. Then empty your OneDrive or SharePoint recycle bin if you want it gone permanently.

Restoring a deleted notebook within 93 days

OneNote keeps deleted notebooks in a recycle bin for 93 days. To restore one, open OneNote and go to File (on Windows) or the menu icon (on Mac or web). Look for a Recycle Bin or Deleted Items option. Click it to see your deleted notebooks.

Find the notebook you want to restore, click it, and select Restore. The notebook reappears in your sidebar with all its sections and pages intact. After 93 days, OneNote permanently deletes the notebook and you cannot restore it.

Why you might not see the Delete option

If you right-click a notebook and do not see a Delete option, you likely do not have permission to delete it. This happens most often with shared notebooks — only the owner or someone with admin rights can delete a notebook that lives in a shared location like a team site or group OneDrive.

If the notebook is shared, contact the owner and ask them to delete it, or ask them to give you admin rights so you can delete it yourself. If it is your own notebook and you still cannot delete it, try logging out of OneNote completely and logging back in, which sometimes refreshes your permissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a notebook without losing the notes inside?

No — deleting a notebook removes all its sections and pages. However, if the notebook is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, the file itself stays there even after you delete it from OneNote, so you can still access it through OneDrive or SharePoint. For local notebooks, the deletion is permanent after 93 days.

What is the difference between deleting a notebook and deleting a section?

A notebook contains multiple sections, and sections contain pages. Deleting a section removes only that section and its pages, leaving the notebook and other sections intact. Deleting a notebook removes the entire notebook and everything in it. If you only want to remove one section, right-click the section name instead of the notebook name.

Can I delete a notebook from my phone?

Yes, but the process is different on mobile. Open OneNote on your phone, find the notebook, swipe left on it (iPhone) or press and hold it (Android), and select Delete. The notebook is removed from your phone, though it may still exist in your OneDrive or SharePoint account depending on where it is stored.

Will deleting a notebook affect other people who have access to it?

If the notebook is shared with others, deleting it removes it from your OneNote app but may not remove it from theirs, depending on where it is stored and who owns it. If you own the notebook and delete it, others will eventually lose access, but the timing depends on the storage location. For shared notebooks, ask the owner before deleting.