No local file storage for OneNote on Mac version?

Hi,

I'm trying to understand the scenario here, so please correct my understanding.

OneNote sync's everything up/down with OneDrive. Once you have created a notebook, then you do not need network connectivity to add/edit/delete content, since all the data is stored locally in a cache file. Once you get connected again to OneDrive, it sync's all your changes to your OneDrive notebook, which would then sync all the content to any other device that is connected to that notebook.

So if you're not concerned with syncing data to the cloud, how are you prevented from using OneNote?

Yes it is different than having a .one file, which Windows OneNote uses, but still allows you to have use OneNote without network connectivity.

Thanks,

Chris

OneNote team

Hi Chris,

I believe you have addressed Animealam's concerns.  A reliable internet connection is not needed to use OneNote.  However, what about the rest of us who specifically do not want to (or can/should not) store their notebooks in the cloud?

Following your suggestion, I can create and sync an empty notebook to the cloud.  I can then disconnect from the internet and then build my notebook locally offline.  This, in effect, will provide us with an offline-only version.  But what happens when we connect to the internet again?  Is there any way to prevent OneNote from syncing?

I suppose I could create a firewall rule to specifically block connectivity to the cloud.  But then again, what if I need to create a new notebook?  I'd have to reconnect to the cloud and when I do that my previous notebook will start to sync, right?

And what about the old notebooks on my Windows machine?  Is there any way to import them?  I think using OneNote would be so much easier if it didn't insist on connecting and syncing to the cloud.

Aylwin

I will echo all of the others who have requested local file storage/access.  It is a need, often due to business requirements and/or personal preference, that many of us have.  The problem is that Microsoft and others are moving in the direction where they want things to go (i.e. cloud and/or $ubscription model) regardless of the desires/needs of their users (Windows 8 and Office 365 as prime examples). 

I want local file access and do not want to store my personal information, many times information that is highly confidential, in the cloud.  It is plain and simple.  I want local access and total control and don't trust Microsoft anymore than any other company to guard my data.  And why should I?  We have more than enough examples of why trust given to a corporate entity today is quite foolish.  And I'm certain personal data up in the cloud, if not encrypted, is improperly accessed by IT employees as I've witnessed it during the course of my 25+ years in IT.  Anyone who says otherwise is being disingenuous or naive.   

If MS won't add this capability, I will either resort to using the Windows version, or find an alternate solution.

I fully agree. Fortunately Outline does good job here.

Take a look at Outline. It doesn't have all of the same features but they are constantly improving it. Plus it opens all OneNote files!

Outline looks to be on a good path, but it appears to be missing some key features:

* offline use

* iPad editing

* iPhone app