How to Fix This Section Cannot Be Edited Because It Is in an Archive Format in OneNote

If you are using OneNote and keep getting an error that prevents you from editing a notebook section. This article will show you how to quickly and easily solve the problem. The message usually says that the section is in an archive format and cannot be edited. This issue can affect both personal and shared notebooks and may appear suddenly, even in sections that were previously editable.

What Exactly Does it Say?

The complete error message like the example below. Though there are some other slight variations floating around as well.

"This section cannot be edited because it is in an archive format. Click here to enable editing."

When this error appears, OneNote locks the affected section in read only mode, preventing any changes until the underlying issue is resolved.

How to Fix This Section Cannot Be Edited Because It Is in an Archive Format in OneNote

Most of the time, this error is caused by a temporary sync or account issue. Every time that I've had this error this step fixed the problem.

• Start by completely closing OneNote. Even after closing the app window, OneNote may continue running in the background. Check the system tray and close OneNote from there if it is still active.
• Reopen OneNote and check whether the issue persists.
• If the error still happens, sign out of your Microsoft account in OneNote.
• Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Sign Out.
• Confirm the prompt and make sure any unsaved work in other Office apps is saved.
• Restart your computer, open OneNote again, and sign back in.

Export the Affected Section

Exporting and reimporting the section can sometimes solve the problem. But not always.

• Right-click the affected section and select Export.
• Save it to your computer using a different name.
• Close OneNote completely, then navigate to the exported file using File Explorer and open it.
• The section will appear under Open Sections in OneNote.
• Right-click the newly opened section and choose Move or Copy.
• Select the target notebook and complete the process.
• If the section becomes editable, you can safely delete the original archived version.

Edit the Notebook Online

Maybe it's just a problem with the app so try the web version.

• In OneNote, go to File, then Info, and copy the OneDrive link for the affected notebook.
• Paste the link into a web browser and sign in using the same Microsoft account.
• Open the affected section and try editing it online.
• If the notebook opens in viewing mode, switch it to editing mode.
• After making changes, return to the OneNote desktop app, open File, then Info, select View Sync Status, and click Sync All.

Note: If syncing does not resolve the issue, close the notebook in the desktop app. Return to the browser version and select File, then Edit in Desktop App, and confirm the prompt.

Repair or Reinstall OneNote

This is a little annoying but should solve the problem if nothing else has worked so far.

• Open Windows Settings and navigate to Apps, then Installed apps.
• Find OneNote, click the three dots next to it, and select Modify.
• Choose Online Repair and allow the process to complete.
• If the issue persists after repair, uninstall OneNote and reinstall it from the Microsoft Store or Office website.