The ultimate guide to getting started with notion

What is notion, really?

An all-in-one workspace that blends docs, spreadsheets, Trello-style boards, and wikis under one roof.

5-minute setup checklist

1. Create an account (Google signup = fastest).

2. Download the desktop + mobile apps for offline editing.

3. Activate Web Clipper to save articles in one click.

4. Turn on dark mode if you’re Team-Night-Owl.

Navigating the interface

• Sidebar: where pages live.

• Blocks: the Lego bricks—text, to-dos, embeds, and databases.

• Slash command (/): your best friend for adding anything.

Understanding databases (the secret sauce)

Tables, boards, calendars, and galleries are simply different database views. Add properties (text, number, select) and relations to link tables together.

Quick-win templates to duplicate

• Daily planner

• Budget tracker

• Habit streaks

*(Tip: Hit / and type “template” to browse built-ins.)

Best practices to avoid future mess

• Stick to a naming convention (e.g., Area / Project / Resource).

• Use emojis sparingly for quick visual scanning.

• Archive, don’t delete—search is lightning-fast.

7. next steps

Bookmark this guide, experiment for 15 minutes a day, and you’ll be a Notion power user within a week.