Insert Media Content
Learn how to add and format different types of content blocks in Notion, including text, headings, and lists.
Learn how to enrich your Notion pages by inserting various types of media content including images, videos, and files. This guide covers all the different ways to add visual and multimedia elements to enhance your documentation, projects, and notes.
When to Use Media Content
Adding media content to your Notion pages serves multiple purposes:
- Visual Enhancement: Break up large blocks of text and make pages more engaging
- Documentation: Include screenshots, diagrams, and reference materials
- File Storage: Store and organize documents, PDFs, and other file types
- Educational Content: Embed training videos, tutorials, and multimedia resources
Supported Media Types & Formats
Notion supports a wide range of media formats and sources:
- Images: JPEG, PNG, GIF, and other common image formats
- Videos: YouTube, Vimeo, and other video platforms via embed
- Files: PDFs, documents, spreadsheets, and more
File Size Limits: Free plans allow up to 5MB per file, while paid plans support up to 5GB per file.
Navigation to Media Options
To insert media content, you can access insertion options by:
- Typing
/in any content block to open the block menu - Clicking the + button that appears when hovering between blocks
Open the Notion page where you want to add media content. Click in the content area where you want to insert your media. This will position your cursor and prepare the page for content insertion.
Type /image or click the + button and select Image from the block menu. This will open the image insertion options.
Click on Unsplash to access thousands of high-quality, free stock photos. Notion's integration with Unsplash provides a convenient way to find professional images without leaving the platform.
Browse through the available images or use the search function to find specific content. Click on the image you want to insert. The image will be automatically added to your page.
The selected image is now embedded in your Notion page. You can resize it by dragging the corners, add a caption by clicking below the image, or change alignment using the options that appear when you hover over the image.
To embed a video, type /video or click the + button and select Video from the block menu. This opens video embedding options for various platforms.
Click on Embed link to embed videos from external platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or other supported video services. This method allows you to display videos directly within your Notion page.
Paste the video URL (in this example, a YouTube link) into the input field. Then click Embed video to insert the video player into your page. Notion will automatically detect and embed the video with proper formatting.
The video is now embedded in your Notion page with a functional player interface. Users can play the video directly within Notion without leaving the page. You can resize the video player and add captions as needed.
To upload files, type /file or click the + button and select File from the block menu. This allows you to upload documents, PDFs, spreadsheets, and other file types.
Click Choose a file to open your computer's file browser. Navigate to and select the file you want to upload. The file will be uploaded to your Notion page and can be downloaded by anyone with access to the page.
Alternative Methods for Adding Media
Image Upload Methods
- Upload from Computer: Select files directly from your device
- Link from Web: Embed images using public URLs
- Drag and Drop: Drag images directly from your computer into the page
Supported Video Platforms
- YouTube: Most commonly used video platform
- Vimeo: Professional video hosting platform
- Loom: Screen recording and video messaging
- Other Platforms: Many other video platforms with embed support
Media Management Features
Customization Options
- Resizing: Drag corners to adjust media size
- Alignment: Left, center, or right alignment options
- Captions: Add descriptive text below media elements
File Organization
- All uploaded files are stored within your Notion workspace
- Files remain accessible even if the original source is removed
- Media is shared according to the page's permission settings
Pro Tip: For frequently used images or files, consider creating a dedicated media page or database to organize and reuse content across multiple pages.
Best Practices & Considerations
File Management
- Use descriptive file names before uploading for better organization
- Consider file size limits based on your Notion plan
- Optimize images for web to reduce loading times
Performance & Loading
- Large media files may slow page loading, especially on mobile devices
- External links may break if the source content is moved or deleted
Copyright Consideration: When using images from external sources or Unsplash, ensure you have the right to use them, especially for commercial purposes. Unsplash images are free to use, but always check the license.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Ensure you're using a valid, public video URL. Some platforms may have embedding restrictions. Try copying the direct share URL rather than the browser address bar URL.
Check that your file doesn't exceed size limits (5MB for free plans, 5GB for paid plans). Also ensure you have a stable internet connection and sufficient storage space in your workspace.
Upload higher resolution images or use the 'Original' size option when hovering over the image. Avoid excessive resizing that might reduce image quality.
Conclusion
Adding media content to your Notion pages enhances readability, provides visual context, and makes your documentation more engaging. Whether you're inserting images from Unsplash, embedding videos from YouTube, or uploading files from your computer, Notion's flexible media system supports various content types and sources. Experiment with different media types to find what works best for your specific use case, and remember to consider file sizes and loading performance for the best user experience.
For more advanced content formatting options, explore Notion's Format Content with Blocks features and learn about Drag & Layout techniques for organizing your media content effectively.