How to Create a Notion Template: Step-by-Step Guide

Notion is a great tool for anyone looking to organize personal and professional tasks, manage finances, or even run entire business operations. One of the standout features of Notion is the ability to create custom templates that can be tailored to your specific needs. By creating templates, you can save time on repetitive tasks and operations and keep your workspace clutter-free.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the process of designing and building your own Notion template from scratch, along with tips to make it functional and visually appealing. By the end, you’ll be ready to design templates for personal use and share them with others.

What is a Notion template, and why should you create one?

A Notion template is essentially a pre-designed page or database structure that you can reuse multiple times. Think of it as a blueprint for organizing information in a way that suits your workflow. Instead of starting from scratch every time you need a new project tracker, habit log, or budget planner, you can duplicate a template and customize it as needed.Creating Notion templates offers several benefits:

• Time-saving: once you’ve built a template, you can reuse it endlessly without rebuilding the same structure.
• Consistency: templates ensure that your pages or databases follow the same format, making your workspace look organized and clutter-free.
• Personalization: you can design templates that match your unique needs, whether for personal goals or business operations.
• Sharing: if you create a template that works well, you can share it with others or even sell it as a digital product.

Now that you know the value of templates, let’s move on to the step-by-step process of creating one in Notion.

Step 1: Set up your Notion workspace

To begin creating a Notion template, you’ll need a Notion account. If you don’t already have one, head over to the Notion website and sign up for free. Notion offers a generous free plan that includes most features you’ll need for template creation.

Once you’re logged in, familiarize yourself with the interface. Notion’s sidebar on the left shows all your pages, and the main workspace is where you’ll build your content.

Start by creating a new page where you’ll design your template. Click the “+” icon in the sidebar or type “/page” in the workspace to add a new page. Give it a clear name, such as “template design area,” so you can easily find it later. This page will serve as the foundation for building your template structure.

Step 2: Define the purpose of your Notion template

Before adding elements to your page, take a moment to think about the purpose of your template. What problem are you trying to solve? Here are a few common use cases for Notion templates:

• personal productivity: templates for to-do lists, habit trackers, or goal-setting.
• personal finances: budget planners, expense trackers, or savings goals.
• business owners: project management boards, client trackers, or content calendars.

For example, if you’re creating a template for tracking personal tasks, you might want a simple layout with a to-do list, due dates, and priority levels. On the other hand, a business project management template might include databases for tasks, timelines, and team assignments. Knowing the purpose will guide the structure and features you include.Write down a list of must-have components for your template. This could include text blocks, tables, calendars, or kanban boards. Having a clear plan will make the creation process smoother.

Step 3: Build the structure of your template

Now it’s time to start building. Notion offers a variety of blocks and database types to choose from, so you can create a layout that works best for your needs. Here’s how to get started:

Add basic blocks

Blocks are the building blocks of any Notion page. You can add text, headings, bullet points, images, and more. To add a block, simply click the “+” icon or type “/” to bring up the block menu. For a template, start with a title or header that describes its purpose. For instance, if you’re creating a budget tracker, you might add a heading like “monthly budget overview.”

Under the heading, include instructions or placeholders for users to follow. For example, write a short paragraph explaining how to use the template. Use bullet points or numbered lists to break down key steps or features.

Create databases

Databases are one of Notion’s most powerful features and a core component of many templates. They allow you to organize information in a structured way, such as tables, lists, or boards. To add a database, type “/database” and choose the format that suits your template. Here are a few options:

• Table: great for tracking expenses, tasks, or inventory with rows and columns.
• Kanban board: ideal for project management, where you can move tasks between stages like “to do,” “in progress,” and “done.”
• Calendar: perfect for scheduling events, deadlines, or content plans.
• List: a simple format for checklists or notes.

For a personal productivity template, you might create a table with columns for task name, due date, priority, and status. Customize the properties of each column by clicking the column header and selecting the appropriate data type (e.g., text, date, or select).

Add visual elements

A well-designed template isn’t just functional—it’s also visually appealing. Use icons, cover images, and dividers to make your template look polished. To add an icon or cover image, click the three-dot menu at the top of the page and select “add icon” or “add cover.” Choose from Notion’s library or upload your own.

You can also use callout blocks to highlight important information or tips. Type “/callout” to add one, and customize it with an emoji for extra flair. These small touches can make your template more user-friendly and engaging.

Step 4: test and refine your template

Once you’ve built the basic structure, test your template to ensure it works as intended. Duplicate the page by right-clicking it in the sidebar and selecting “duplicate.” Use the duplicate to simulate how someone else might interact with the template. Fill in sample data, move items around in databases, and check if the layout feels intuitive.Ask yourself these questions during testing:

• Are the instructions clear for someone new to Notion?
• Do the databases function properly with sample data?
• Is the design easy to navigate?

If you notice any issues, go back to the original page and make adjustments. For example, if a table feels too cluttered, consider simplifying the columns or splitting it into multiple smaller tables. Keep refining until you’re satisfied with the result.

Step 5: save and share your Notion template

After finalizing your template, it’s time to save it for reuse or share it with others. Notion makes this process straightforward. Follow these steps to turn your page into a reusable template:

1. In your Notion workspace, click the “share” button at the top right of the page.
2. Toggle on “share to web” to create a public link for your template.
3. Under the sharing options, enable “allow duplicate as template.” This lets others duplicate your page into their own workspace without editing the original.
4. Copy the link and share it via email, social media, or your website.

If you’re creating templates for personal use, you can also save them within your workspace. Create a dedicated “templates” page in your sidebar, and store all your designs there for easy access. To reuse a template, simply duplicate it whenever you need a new instance.If you’re interested in selling your notion templates, platforms like Gumroad or Etsy are great places to list them. Package your template with a short description, screenshots, and a video tutorial if possible. Many creators earn a steady income by offering high-quality Notion templates for personal productivity, finances, and business needs.

Tips for creating effective Notion templates

Designing a Notion template that works well requires more than just slapping together a few blocks and databases. Here are some practical tips to elevate your templates and make them truly useful:

1. Keep it simple at first: If you’re new to Notion, avoid overcomplicating your template with too many features. Start with a basic structure and add more elements as you become comfortable with the platform. A simple design is often more approachable for users, especially beginners.
2. Use tags and filters: When working with databases, tags and filters can make your template more dynamic. For instance, in a task tracker, add a “priority” tag with options like “high,” “medium,” and “low.” Then, create filtered views to show only high-priority tasks. This helps users focus on what matters most without getting overwhelmed.
3. Include instructions: Not everyone using your template will be familiar with Notion. Add a small section at the top of the page with step-by-step guidance on how to use the template. Use clear, concise language and consider adding a link to a quick Notion tutorial for extra support.Customize for your audienceIf you’re sharing or selling your template, think about who will be using it. A template for students might include sections for class schedules and study plans, while one for business owners could focus on client management and revenue tracking. Tailor the design and features to match the needs of your target users.
4. Update regularly: As you use Notion more, you’ll discover new ways to improve your templates. Periodically revisit your designs to add new features or simplify existing ones. If you’ve shared your template publicly, let users know about updates by posting a changelog or sending an email.

Inspiration for Notion template ideas

If you’re unsure where to start, here are a few ideas for Notion templates you can create based on popular categories:

• personal productivity: daily planners, weekly reviews, or goal trackers with progress bars.
• personal finances: monthly budget sheets, debt repayment plans, or investment trackers.
• business owners: crm systems for client follow-ups, social media content calendars, or team task boards.

Browse online communities like Reddit’s notion subreddit or Notion’s official template gallery for more inspiration. Seeing how others structure their templates can spark ideas for your own designs.

Resources for learning more about Notion templates

To deepen your understanding of notion and template creation, check out these helpful resources:

1. Notion’s official help center - a comprehensive guide to all of notion’s features, including tutorials on building templates.
2. Thomas frank’s notion tutorials on youtube - thomas offers detailed videos on using notion for productivity and organization.
3. Marie poulin’s notion mastery course - a paid course that dives deep into advanced notion techniques, including template design.
4. Reddit’s notion community - a forum where users share tips, templates, and ask questions about notion.
5. Gumroad notion templates - explore a marketplace of notion templates to see what others are creating and selling.

These resources can provide extra guidance and inspiration as you develop your skills in crafting notion templates.

Common challenges when creating notion templates (and how to overcome them)

As with any new skill, you might face a few hurdles when designing your first notion template. Here are some common challenges and ways to tackle them:

1. Feeling overwhelmed by options: Notion offers so many features that it’s easy to feel lost. If you’re struggling, focus on one element at a time. Start with a simple text block or table, and gradually add more as you gain confidence.
2. Making templates too complex: It’s tempting to pack your template with every possible feature, but this can make it hard to use. Stick to the essentials and let users customize it further if needed. A clean, focused design is often more effective.
3. Difficulty sharing templates: If you’re having trouble sharing your template, double-check the sharing settings. Ensure “allow duplicate as template” is enabled, and test the link in a private browser window to confirm it works.
4. Lack of design skills: You don’t need to be a graphic designer to create a good-looking template. Use notion’s built-in icons and cover images, and keep the layout tidy with consistent spacing and headings.
5. Keeping templates organized: As you create more templates, your workspace might get cluttered. Set up a dedicated folder or page for all your templates, and use descriptive names to find them easily.

Final thoughts on creating notion templates

Learning how to create a Notion template is a valuable skill that can change the way you organize your life or business. By following the steps outlined in this guide—setting up your workspace, defining the purpose, building the structure, testing, and sharing—you can build templates that are both practical and visually appealing. Whether you’re using them for personal tasks, financial goals, or business projects, custom templates can bring order to your Notion workspace.Take your time to experiment with different layouts and features, and don’t be afraid to draw inspiration from others. With practice, you’ll become more comfortable designing templates that suit your needs or even resonate with a wider audience. If you’re looking for pre-made options, check out our store for a variety of notion templates designed to help with productivity, finances, and business management.