Open .one File in Mac: This file is from a different version of OneNote and we can’t use it

2026-03-19 17:52

Question：

When I open a local section .one file with the "Open Section…" menu item provided by Mac OneNote, I get the following error message:

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.

How to fix it?

This file is from a different version of OneNote and we can’t use it.

Answer:

Mac OneNote has a new "Open Section…" menu item that only works on opening some .one files. There are .one files that it does not recognize.

Solution:

You can use the “Restore” feature provided by OneNote Batch for Mac to import .one files that are not recognized by OneNote on Mac.

Use “Restore” of OneNote Batch for Mac

In OneNote Batch for Mac:

Click Import tab ->Restore feature
In the notebook tree on the left, check a notebook or section group (for Import)
Click the "Add File" button on the right to add a Diary.one file.
The Diary section will be placed under the “for Import” section group.
Finally, click the "Start" button to import Diary.one.

use the “Restore” feature provided by OneNote Batch for Mac to import .one files that are not recognized by OneNote on Mac

View Imported Section in Mac OneNote

After Mac OneNote finishes syncing from OneDrive.com, you can see the Diary section appear under the “for Import” section group.
This section can be edited and modified directly.

Download OneNote Batch for Mac