"Blocks" are a key feature of Notion. However, as it's a unique function to Notion, it's often a point of confusion for new users.
In this article, we'll provide a detailed explanation of what blocks are, their types, and how to use them, making it easy for even Notion beginners to understand!
🎬 Director：Rei
✍🏻 Writer：Mino Kurumi
1. What are "Blocks"?
Notion allows you to insert not only text, but also images, tables, and even embed videos and maps into your pages.
All these content elements that can be placed on a page, such as "text," "images," and "tables," are referred to as "blocks."
In other words, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Notion is built with "blocks," making them a crucial element.
Notion's "block" feature is often compared to Lego blocks because, just like Lego, you can freely assemble and easily rearrange them.
You can arrange them in a single vertical column, or you can create two or three columns in your layout. You can also mix text, images, and videos.
A key feature is that once blocks are placed, they can be easily rearranged with drag and drop. This intuitive placement of blocks allows for free page creation.
2. What types of blocks are there?
How many types of blocks do you think there are?
There are actually more varieties than you might imagine, over 50 types!
- Some blocks
Not only text, but also pages, to-do lists, headings, and bullet points are all types of blocks.
In addition, there are various other types of blocks, such as tables, embedded images and videos, and embedded linked tools like social media.
🔗A list of blocks can be found here
Thanks to these diverse blocks with different functionalities, Notion allows you to create various types of pages.
3. Let's arrange some blocks
Now, let's actually arrange some blocks and try them out!
3-1. Adding a block
Adding blocks is very easy.
1. Hover your cursor over the page and click the "+" button that appears.
2. When the menu is displayed, select the desired block.
Once you're more comfortable, I recommend trying to add blocks using "shortcuts." Blocks can be added not only through the "+" icon mentioned above but also by typing shortcuts.
To use shortcuts, simply type a half-width slash "/" or a full-width semicolon ";" followed by the name of the block you want to add.
📄 Example shortcuts
- Create a To-Do list: /todo
- Create a new page: /page
- Create a bulleted list: /bullet
- Create a heading: /h1,/h2,/h3
Mastering shortcuts will allow you to create pages faster using only your keyboard. Please try to use them once you're comfortable!
3-2. Changing blocks
Notion blocks can be easily changed to other block types even after they've been created.
1. Click the "⋮⋮" (block handle) icon to the left of the block.
2. Click "Convert to" and choose the block type you want to change to.
Changing blocks is very convenient when you want to convert something you've typed as plain text into a heading or a bulleted list. Deleting or duplicating blocks can also be done using the "⋮⋮" icon.
3-3. Reordering blocks
Blocks can also be reordered by long-pressing the "⋮⋮" (block handle) icon and dragging.
To reorder vertically, long-press the "⋮⋮" icon and drag it to the desired location. If you long-press and drag it to the right edge of a column, you can also change the layout to two or three columns.
It's incredibly convenient that even after you've mostly assembled a page, you can easily change the order of blocks with just a drag.
Summary
That concludes our explanation of the "block feature"! Master the various blocks and become a Notion pro.
We have also explained "databases," a common sticking point for Notion beginners, in a previous article. Feel free to check it out too.
Here's the ultimate task management template for Notion, "Todotion"!
Our two-hour "Notion Master Course" is now available, teaching Notion from scratch with videos!
The book "Notion Lifehacks," which introduces 36 ways to use Notion, is also on sale now!
