OneNote Class Notebooks use default section groups for Welcome, Collaboration Space, and Content Library. If one of these areas is missing or people lose access, first repair notebook permissions, then check that the section group is still in the expected location.
Use these steps for Class Notebooks. If a Staff Notebook has the same permission issue, the same permission repair can restore access there too.
-
Go to the Fix notebooks page.
-
Find the notebook people are having trouble with, then select Fix Permissions.
-
When you see Permissions Fixed, ask students or staff to close and reopen the notebook.
What students see while you're fixing this
They can keep using the sections they already had access to. The affected section may stay hidden until permissions are repaired, but no work is deleted.
Additional troubleshooting steps
If the Collaboration Space or Content Library is still missing, look for that section group in the notebook navigation pane. If it is not under Welcome, move it back to the top level of the notebook. After the section group is back in place, repair permissions again if access is still blocked.
Why this happens
The Welcome, Collaboration Space, and Content Library areas use special permissions so educators can share content safely while students keep their own private workspaces. If a section group is moved or permissions drift, Class Notebook may hide the affected area to protect notebook content.
The missing section group and its content are still there. They reappear after permissions are fixed and the section group is back in the right place.
Learn more
Getting Started with the OneNote Staff Notebook: A Walkthrough for Staff Leaders in Education
Getting Started with the OneNote Class Notebook: A Walkthrough for Educators
