html-based OneNote canvas-like notebook alternative
Started by pedter
on 4/28/2026
pedter
4/28/2026 2:51 pm
Hi everybody!
I've been looking for an alternative to OneNote 2007 for a couple of years now, but somehow I never found my way to this excellent forum.
The main reason why I want to switch is that I'd prefer to have my notes in a future-proof, non-proprietary, OS-independent format. I don't require many bells & whistles, but there are some very basic things I need which none of the apps I tested was able to do:
I organise most of my notes in very large tables spread across the OneNote canvas. I want to be able to continue to work this way and I want to be able to import my old notes from the (relatively faithful) mht/html exports. I think this entails that the software uses a canvas-like rich text editor with true html (not markdown) as its file standard. Ideally saving those files individually in a folder system on my PC, reproducing the tree structure of the notebook 1 to 1.
I have loads of "nice to haves" on my wishlist beyond that, but since this one requirement is already enough to eliminate all of the popular candidates, I'll shut up right here. If you know of any piece of software that can do this elementary thing, or if you have another idea altogether on how to approach my problem, I'd very much appreciate your advice.
(Incidently, I just learned about MyInfo here. Would that maybe be a good candidate?)
Thank you!
I've been looking for an alternative to OneNote 2007 for a couple of years now, but somehow I never found my way to this excellent forum.
The main reason why I want to switch is that I'd prefer to have my notes in a future-proof, non-proprietary, OS-independent format. I don't require many bells & whistles, but there are some very basic things I need which none of the apps I tested was able to do:
I organise most of my notes in very large tables spread across the OneNote canvas. I want to be able to continue to work this way and I want to be able to import my old notes from the (relatively faithful) mht/html exports. I think this entails that the software uses a canvas-like rich text editor with true html (not markdown) as its file standard. Ideally saving those files individually in a folder system on my PC, reproducing the tree structure of the notebook 1 to 1.
I have loads of "nice to haves" on my wishlist beyond that, but since this one requirement is already enough to eliminate all of the popular candidates, I'll shut up right here. If you know of any piece of software that can do this elementary thing, or if you have another idea altogether on how to approach my problem, I'd very much appreciate your advice.
(Incidently, I just learned about MyInfo here. Would that maybe be a good candidate?)
Thank you!
MadaboutDana
5/2/2026 3:21 am
Depends on your platform(s): a couple of clues suggest you're working in Windows, but perhaps you could clarify?
And welcome to the forum! We're all Very Proud of the host, Chris, who's just enhanced and upgraded the whole experience!
And welcome to the forum! We're all Very Proud of the host, Chris, who's just enhanced and upgraded the whole experience!
