How-To Guide

How to Get Started with Notion

Step-by-step guide to getting started with Notion. Create an account, set up your workspace, and build your first page.

How to Get Started with Notion

1

Create a Notion account

Go to notion.so and sign up with your email, Google account, or Apple ID. For teams, one person creates the workspace and invites others. Choose your workspace name and icon.

2

Choose a starting template or start from scratch

Notion offers onboarding templates for common use cases: project management, notes, wiki, and personal. Pick one to start with a pre-built structure, or choose 'Start from scratch' for a blank workspace.

3

Learn the block system

Everything in Notion is a block — text, headings, images, databases, embeds, and toggles. Type / to see all block types. Drag blocks to rearrange. This block-based system is what makes Notion so flexible.

4

Create your first page

Click '+ New page' in the sidebar. Give it a title, add an icon and cover image. Start typing to add text blocks, or use / commands to add databases, toggles, callouts, and more.

5

Install the desktop and mobile apps

Download Notion from notion.so/desktop for Mac, Windows, or Linux. Get the mobile app from your app store. The desktop app is faster than the browser and supports offline access for recently viewed pages.

Pro tips

  • *

    Start simple — create a few pages before building complex database systems. Learn the basics first.

  • *

    Use the / command constantly — it's the fastest way to add any block type

  • *

    Press Cmd+K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows) to quickly search and navigate to any page in your workspace

  • *

    Notion's free plan is generous for individuals — you may not need to upgrade for months

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