Solved OneNote

I've not seen any posts here about OneNote and I suspect I'm starting to understand why. When I first used it some months ago to share notes between my PC, laptop and Android phone it worked ok but lately it has ceased syncing and no amount of effort on my part is having any effect. In the end I decided the only way forward was to uninstall and reinstall, which was simple enough on the phone but not possible it seems in Win 10 or 11.

Obviously I will take a good look at any suggestions but also at any other software with similar functionality, i.e. able to create notes and share them online.

You might try Evernote. It's supposed to be the best.

evernote.com

I will take a look at Evernote - thanks. Just found an earlier post of mine here, #9. Seems these problems started after a OneNote security update and it hasn't worked for me since.

I've seen posted other places where using OneNote can have issues depending upon whether it's with the version that comes with Windows or the version that comes with Microsoft Office.

OneNote works fine for me, and always has. I also used Evernote for years (being overly cautious, I duplicate my notes in case of failure of one of the apps), but when they went to an expensive subscription model I switched to a free (open source) app called Joplin. Not as sophisticated as OneNote or Evernote, but it works just fine - especially since I use it primarily as a backup to OneNote. You might want to take a look at it: Joplin website

Yeah, already looking at Joplin. I don't have any special needs so free is good - hopefully it will meet the needs.

I've been using OneNote since it was introduced in 2003. I use OneNote every day and it's one of my most used apps. It's always worked flawlessly with never a problem syncing across all my devices.

Are you logging in to a Microsoft Account? Syncing OneNote requires signing in to a Microsoft Account in order to have access to cloud OneDrive. OneNote data is stored both locally and in cloud OneDrive. Cloud OneDrive is how OneNote data is synced across devices.

fixer said:

Yeah, already looking at Joplin. I don't have any special needs so free is good - hopefully it will meet the needs.

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There is a free version of Evernote too.

TraderGary said:

Syncing OneNote requires signing in to a Microsoft Account

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I am using a MS account and OneDrive and Office 21. As I said, it was working fine, isn't now. I do know my around but haven't been able to get it syncing again.

fixer said:

I am using a MS account and OneDrive and Office 21. As I said, it was working fine, isn't now. I do know my around but haven't been able to get it syncing again.

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There are still two versions of OneNote. The original FREE version and the later versions that come with Office. Are you possibly still running the free version?

TraderGary said:

Are you possibly still running the free version?

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How would I know? I do know I cannot uninstall whatever it is so as I do have Office installed I would guess it's the Office version.

fixer said:

How would I know? I do know I cannot uninstall whatever it is so as I do have Office installed I would guess it's the Office version.

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The free version will have an ordinary about box with the version.
The Office version will have the same version as all your current office products. You find that version by clicking on File > Account.

Thanks Gary, it is the Office version.

I have now got Joplin up and running with all my notes from OneNote. It is missing the flexibility of OneNote but will certainly tide me over until I can get OneNote working again.

Thanks for the help everyone

Wynona said:

There is a free version of Evernote too.

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Which doesn't offer syncing on multiple devices. Kind of defeats the purpose.

fixer said:

Thanks Gary, it is the Office version.

I have now got Joplin up and running with all my notes from OneNote. It is missing the flexibility of OneNote but will certainly tide me over until I can get OneNote working again.

Thanks for the help everyone

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Good to hear

allan said:

Which doesn't offer syncing on multiple devices. Kind of defeats the purpose.



Good to hear

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I haven't used Evernote, so am not aware of its drawbacks.

Pleased to say that by creating a new Notebook in OneNote, and recovering all my old notes from OneNote backups, I have now got it syncing again across two PCs, my laptop and my phone. Phew!

Hopefully it will now stay problem free as it's really very good, far superior to Joplin.

@fixer Did chkdsk ever show a problem?

TraderGary said:

@fixer Did chkdsk ever show a problem?

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Nope, don't think it was a system problem as all else has been stable. Just one of those things I guess