Combining notebooks in OneNote is primarily done by moving or copying sections and section groups from one notebook into another. You don't merge the notebook files themselves in the same way you might combine documents; instead, you consolidate their content.
The fundamental approach involves transferring the organizational units (sections and section groups, which contain your pages) from the source notebook(s) to a single destination notebook.
The Process of Combining Notebooks
To combine the content of two or more OneNote notebooks into one, you will work within the OneNote application, moving or copying sections and their associated pages from the notebooks you want to consolidate into a chosen target notebook.
Based on information, the core action is to select all the sections, and a section groups in one notebook, and then move or copy them to another notebook.
Here's a breakdown of the steps:
- Open All Relevant Notebooks: Ensure that both the source notebook (the one you want to pull content from) and the destination notebook (the one you want to add content to) are open and accessible within your OneNote application.
- Navigate to the Source Notebook: Locate the notebook containing the sections and section groups you wish to move or copy.
- Select Content to Transfer:
- Find the section or section group you want to move or copy.
- You can select individual sections or entire section groups. To select multiple adjacent sections or section groups, click the first one, hold down the Shift key, and click the last one. To select non-adjacent items, hold down the Ctrl key while clicking each item.
- Move or Copy the Selected Content: There are two primary methods mentioned for transferring the selected content:
- Dragging and Dropping: Simply click and hold the selected section or section group and drag it directly into the desired notebook and location within the OneNote navigation pane (the list of notebooks, section groups, and sections).
- Right-Click Menu: Right-click on the selected section or section group. From the context menu that appears, choose either Move or Copy. A dialog box will appear, allowing you to select the destination notebook and the specific location within that notebook where you want to place the content.
- Repeat as Needed: Continue this process for all the sections and section groups from your source notebooks that you wish to include in the consolidated notebook.
Tips for Successful Combining
- Start with a New Notebook: Consider creating a brand new, empty notebook to serve as your destination. This can help keep the consolidation process organized.
- Move vs. Copy: Moving sections removes them from the source notebook, while copying leaves them there. Choose the action that best suits whether you intend to keep the original notebook or discard it after consolidation.
- Organize as You Go: As you move/copy content, take the opportunity to reorganize sections or place them within new or existing section groups in the destination notebook to create a logical structure.
- Large Notebooks: If dealing with very large notebooks, the move or copy process might take some time or impact performance. It's sometimes easier to transfer content in smaller batches.
By following these steps, you can effectively combine the content of multiple OneNote notebooks into a single, organized notebook.
