Some users cannot open or edit their notebooks on OneNote due to the “This file is from a different version of OneNote” error. This error usually occurs when the OneNote file is created on an older version of OneNote and you try to open it on a newer version of OneNote.
The complete error message is:
This file is from a different version of OneNote and we can’t use it.
There might be a converter available online at Office.com that can convert the file into something we can use.
This file is from a different version of OneNote
Use the following solutions for the “This file is from a different version of OneNote” error.
- Try to open the file in your web browser
- Convert the file
- Change the extension manually
Let’s see how to apply these fixes.
1] Try to open the file in your web browser
Try to open the notebook in your web browser. For this, you need to upload the notebook to OneDrive. Open OneDrive in your web browser and sign in to it with your Microsoft account. Now, upload the notebook and open it. The notebook will automatically open in OneNote for the Web.
See if the error appears in OneNote for the Web. If not, go to File > Info. Now, click Edit in Desktop App. You will receive a prompt in your web browser. Click on the Open Link in that prompt to open OneNote directly from your web browser. See if the error occurs in the app this time.
2] Convert the file
If the above fix does not work, you can convert the file to the latest version of OneNote. Before proceeding, copy the notebook and paste it to another location to create a backup.
Now, open OneNote and go to File > Info. If you see that notebook there, click on Settings and select Properties. The Convert to 2010-2016 button will be clickable if your notebook is convertible. Click on that button to convert your notebook from the older version to a newer version.
3] Change the extension manually
You can also try to change the file extension manually. However, this action can also corrupt the file. Therefore, before proceeding, back up your notebook. After that, enable the file extensions on Windows. Now, right-click on the file and select Rename. Change the format of your notebook to .one. Click OK and confirm changing the file format.
That’s it. I hope this helps.
This section was originally created in an older version of OneNote
OneNote no longer supports standalone section files. So if you see This section was originally created in an older version of OneNote message, install OneNote desktop app on your Windows PC and then take these steps:
- Go to www.onedrive.com and sign in with your OneNote account
- Click + New, choose OneNote notebook, and name it
- Open the new notebook in the OneNote desktop app
- Use Explorer to find standalone OneNote section files
- Right-click each section file and select Open with desktop app
- In the OneNote desktop app, move or copy each section to the new notebook you created.
- After copying, delete the original standalone section files from your computer.
How to update OneNote to the latest version?
To update OneNote to the latest version, open OneNote and go to File > Account. Now, click Update Options > Update Now. After that, the Office will check for the latest updates and install them automatically. Alternatively, you can also check for OneNote updates in the Microsoft Store. Open the Microsoft Store and go to the Downloads section. If an update for OneNote is available, you will see it there.
Is there a free version of OneNote?
OneNote is available for free. You can download and install its free version from Microsoft Store. Open the Microsoft Store and search for OneNote. Now, click on the Get button to install OneNote.
Read next: Deleted sections keep reappearing in OneNote.
