Use Notion Templates

Learn how to access and use Notion's built-in templates to quickly create structured pages for common workflows, projects, and organizational systems. This guide covers the complete process from accessing the template gallery to customizing templates for your needs.

When to Use Built-in Templates

Notion's built-in templates are pre-designed page structures that help you get started quickly with common use cases. They're ideal when you need to:

• Set up project management systems without building from scratch
• Create consistent structures across team workspaces
• Learn best practices by examining well-designed layouts
• Save time on initial page setup and focus on content creation

Template Categories Available

Notion offers templates across multiple categories including productivity dashboards, project management systems, note-taking structures, habit trackers, meeting notes, and database templates for various business functions.

How to Access Templates

Templates can be accessed when creating a new page or added to existing pages. The quickest way is through the template menu that appears when you start typing on a blank page.

1

Start by creating a new page in your Notion workspace. You can do this by clicking the + New Page button in your sidebar or by using the keyboard shortcut Cmd/Ctrl + N.

2

Once you're on a new page, click on the page title area or in the content area below it. This will activate the page and prepare it for template insertion.

3

Look for the Templates option in the toolbar that appears below your page title. Click on it to access the template gallery.

4

The template menu will display various options including Add icon, Add cover, and Use Built-in Templates. You'll see categories like Database templates, Meeting templates, and other structured layouts to choose from.

5

Browse through the available templates and click on the template image or preview that matches your needs. Each template shows a preview of its structure and intended use case.

6

After selecting your desired template, click the Add button to insert the template structure into your current page. This will immediately populate your page with the template's content and layout.

7

If you want to examine the template more closely before adding it, click See template to get a detailed view of its components, structure, and how it organizes information.

8

Once the template is added to your page, you can immediately begin customizing the content to fit your specific needs. Replace placeholder text, modify database properties, adjust layouts, and add your own content while maintaining the template's organizational structure.

Template Customization Best Practices

• Adapt to your workflow: Modify database properties, views, and layouts to match your specific processes
• Rename elements: Update titles, headings, and labels to use your organization's terminology
• Remove unused sections: Delete blocks or database views that don't serve your purposes
• Add integrations: Connect external tools and services to enhance template functionality

Creating Custom Templates

After working with built-in templates, you can create your own custom templates by building a page structure and then saving it as a template for future use. This allows you to standardize processes specific to your team or organization while maintaining the convenience of template-based page creation.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Template not appearing: Ensure you're on a blank page or have clicked in an empty content area
• Limited template options: Check your workspace permissions and account type for access to premium templates
• Database templates not working: Ensure you have permission to create databases in the current workspace

Next Steps

Now that you know how to use built-in templates, you're ready to create structured, professional pages quickly. Templates provide an excellent foundation for consistent workspace organization and can significantly accelerate your content creation process.

Experiment with different template categories to discover which structures work best for your specific use cases. Remember that templates are starting points – the real value comes from customizing them to fit your unique workflows and requirements.