Some of the OneNote users have noted this particular problem that shows the “This section was created in an older version of OneNote and is incompatible with your cloud notebook. (Error code: 0xE40200C4)” while trying to save a note on the app. The affected users seem to having some problem accessing exiting notes saved on the cloud as well. The disparity in the OneNote versions to take notes can cause this problem. For more elaborate solutions, go through this guide and enact those steps.
Fix 1 – Identify the OneNote version
The note or the part of the note that you have created on the offline version of the Outlook (like Outlook 2016) may not sync or supported on the newer OneNote. The latest version of the OneNote works cross devices. So, this problem may arise.
Step 1 – Open up the OneNote app.
Step 2 – Then, go to the “Account” tab. Check the Version information on the right-hand tab.
Step 3 – Toggle the “Enable Updates” option there.
After enabling updates, OneNote will get the latest update. This may not fix the problem completely, but you won’t have incompatibility on your notes in the future.
Fix 2 – Check the Note sync status
If there is a synchronization issue in the notes, it can create a problem with the cloud notebook.
Step 1 – Load up the OneNote window.
Step 2 – Then, tap the “File” from the menu bar. Go to the “Info” tab.
Step 3 – Next, tap the “View Sync Status” to view the synchronization status on OneNote files.
Step 4 – Next, choose the “Sync automatically whenever there are changes” option. Tap the “Sync All” feature.
This will synchronize all your notes on OneNote. So, if the older note was having some sort of synchronization issues, it will be fixed.
Fix 3 – Convert the older notes
If you have some notes from an earlier version of OneNote, you must convert them to 2010-2016 version and add them to your OneNote library.
Step 1 – Open up the problematic note on your OneNote 2016.
Step 2 – Next, go to this way –
File > Info
Step 3 – Then, tap the “Settings” option and select “Properties” from the drop-down.
Step 4 – In Notebook properties, tap the “Convert to 2010-2016” option.
This will convert the note to the latest version of the note. Later, the same note will be supported on OneNote app across the devices. Do check whether you are getting the same error or not.
Fix 4 – Move the damaged note part
If you are still getting the incompatibility message on the note, you have to move out the problematic part in a new note to store it.
Step 1 – Open up the note on the OneNote client.
Step 2 – Use the Ctrl+C or Ctrl+A key together to copy the entire note or parts of the note.
Step 3 – Now, copy the part of the note that is giving you all these troubles. Then, tap the “New Section” in the note to create a new section there.
Step 4 – Save the note later on OneNote.
While this may not solve the problem for all the other notes, if you are having this problem there, but it can fix a few notes on the go. See if this helps.
Fix 5 – Try using OneDrive on web
You should give the OneDrive on the web or OneDrive online a try to fix the problem.
Step 1 – Load up the OneDrive Online on a browser.
Step 2 – You have to sign in using your Microsoft account and password.
Step 3 – Once you are in, you can access all your notes.
Try to use the note on the OneDrive console now. Check if this works out for you!