How to Save Onenote As A PDF

OneNote is a versatile note-taking program that provides users with various features to help them capture, organize, and share their ideas. With its powerful tools, OneNote helps users create digital notebooks that can be used for everything from research to project management.

One benefit of OneNote is that it is possible to save your notes as PDFs, providing a more portable and easily accessible format. This post will detail different methods for how to save OneNote as a PDF and the pros and cons of each method.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

Before getting into the different methods of how to save OneNote as a PDF, there are a few things you’ll need to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

  • A device or laptop
  • OneNote installed on your device
  • Microsoft Print to PDF installed on your device (if not pre-installed)
  • An internet connection (only required for some methods)

What Requires Your Focus?

When saving OneNote as a PDF, the main focus is on selecting the correct method for your needs. Different methods have different benefits and drawbacks, so it’s essential to choose wisely.

Additionally, certain methods may require specific steps or involve different applications, so be prepared to follow instructions carefully and ensure that you have the necessary software installed.

Different Methods to Save OneNote As A PDF

Method 1: Print to PDF via OneNote Online

If you’re using OneNote Online, you can save your notes as a PDF using the print feature. Follow these steps:

  1. Login to your OneNote Online account.
  2. Open the notebook that you want to save as a PDF.
  3. Select the notes you want to save and click "File".
  4. Select "Print".
  5. Under Printer, select "Microsoft Print to PDF".
  6. Select "Print".
  7. Choose a location to save your PDF file, give it a name, and then click "Save".

Pros:

  • You can access your notes from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • This method is relatively simple and quick.
  • You don’t need any additional software.

Cons:

  • You need an internet connection.
  • OneNote Online can be slower than the desktop version.
  • You can only print to PDF, meaning that other formats are not available.

Method 2: Print to PDF via OneNote Desktop Application

If you’re using the OneNote desktop application on Windows 10, you can use the Print function to save your notes as a PDF. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the notebook you want to save as a PDF in OneNote.
  2. Select the notes you want to save.
  3. Click "File" and then "Print".
  4. Under Printer, select "Microsoft Print to PDF".
  5. Select "Print".
  6. Choose a location to save your PDF file, give it a name, and then click "Save".

Pros:

  • You don’t need an internet connection.
  • You can choose from multiple formats to save, including PDF, XPS, and others.
  • The desktop application is faster and more feature-filled than OneNote Online.

Cons:

  • You need to download Microsoft Print to PDF if it’s not already installed.
  • This method only works on Windows 10 computers.

Method 3: Export as PDF via OneNote Desktop Application

This method is similar to the last one, but instead of using the Print feature, you’ll use the Export feature. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the notebook you want to save as a PDF in OneNote.
  2. Select the notes you want to save.
  3. Click "File" and then "Export".
  4. Select "PDF (*.pdf)" as the export format.
  5. Choose a location to save your PDF file, give it a name, and then click "Save".

Pros:

  • You don’t need an internet connection.
  • You can choose from multiple formats to save, including PDF, XPS, and others.
  • The desktop application is faster and more feature-filled than OneNote Online.

Cons:

  • This method only works on Windows computers.
  • You may need to install a PDF converter plugin if you don’t have Microsoft Print to PDF.

Why Can’t I Save OneNote as a PDF?

There are a few reasons why you may not be able to save OneNote as a PDF. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

1. OneNote Version is Incompatible

A common issue is that the version of OneNote you’re using isn’t compatible with the Windows or Mac OS you’re on. Check that you’re using the most recent version of OneNote that’s compatible with your operating system.

2. PDF Converter is Missing

Another issue is that you may not have a PDF converter installed. To resolve this, ensure that Microsoft Print to PDF is installed and working correctly on your computer.

3. Notebook is too Large

If your notebook is too large, OneNote may struggle to save it as a PDF. Try selecting specific pages or sections to save instead of the entire notebook.

Implications and Recommendations

Overall, OneNote is a powerful tool for note-taking and organization, and being able to save notes as a PDF provides an extra level of versatility. Depending on your specific situation, one method may be better than another. It’s essential to consider your resources, operating system, and goals when choosing the best method for saving OneNote as a PDF.

5 FAQs about Saving OneNote As A PDF

Q1: Can you change the layout of OneNote notes when saving as a PDF?

A: When saving as a PDF, the layout will be the same as it appears in OneNote. However, you can edit the layout in OneNote before exporting to a PDF.

Q2: Can I password-protect a OneNote PDF?

A: Yes, you can password-protect a OneNote PDF using a third-party PDF editor.

Q3: What if OneNote keeps crashing when I try to save as a PDF?

A: Check that your OneNote version is up to date and that you have sufficient memory on your device. You may also try selecting fewer notes or sections to save as a PDF.

Q4: Do I need to have OneNote open to save as a PDF?

A: You can save OneNote notes as a PDF without having OneNote open by using OneNote Online.

Q5: Can I save multiple notes at once as a PDF?

A: Yes, you can select multiple notes or sections to save as a PDF using any of the methods detailed above.

In Conclusion

There are different methods for saving OneNote as PDF, and each one has its pros and cons. Regardless of which method you use, saving OneNote as a PDF provides an extra level of accessibility and versatility to your notes. With the information provided in this post, you should now be able to choose the best method for you and save OneNote notes to PDF without issue.