How to Add a Block to the Right in Notion

Notion is a remarkable tool for organizing your life, whether you're managing a personal project or collaborating with a team. One feature that often gets overlooked but can significantly boost your productivity is the ability to add blocks to the right. This simple yet powerful function lets you create side-by-side content, making your workspace more dynamic and visually appealing. Let's explore how you can make the most of this multi-column feature in Notion.

Why Use Side-by-Side Blocks?

Before we dive into the how-to. Let's talk about why you'd want to add blocks to the right in Notion. Imagine you're working on a project plan. On one hand, you might want to list your tasks, and on the other, have a calendar or notes column. Having these side-by-side means you're not constantly scrolling up and down. Everything is in your immediate view, which can be a game changer for productivity.

Moreover, visually structuring your workspace helps with focus. It's like having a dual monitor setup but within a single page. You can compare information. Match tasks with deadlines. Or even just keep a motivational quote next to your task list. It streamlines your workflow in ways that linear layouts simply can't.

Getting Started with Blocks

Blocks are the building blocks of Notion. Literally. Everything you add to a Notion page, whether it's text, images, tables, or embeds, is a block. Understanding blocks is essential because they're the foundation for creating side-by-side layouts.

To add a block, simply click the plus sign that appears when you hover over the left side of your Notion page. You'll see a menu with a variety of options, from text and headings to tables and databases. This flexibility is part of what makes Notion so powerful.

• Text Block: Ideal for paragraphs, notes, or any text-based content.
• Heading Block: Use these to organize your content into sections.
• Image Block: Great for visual content or just to add a personal touch.
• Database Block: Perfect for more structured content like tasks or inventories.

Once you have your blocks, you're not limited to a single-column setup. Notion allows you to easily rearrange these blocks to suit your needs.

Creating Side-by-Side Blocks

Ready to take the leap into side-by-side layouts? Here's how you can add a block to the right.

Drag and Drop Method

One of the simplest ways to position a block to the right is by using the drag-and-drop feature. Here's a quick step-by-step:

1. Create two or more blocks on your page.
2. Click and hold the block you want to move.
3. Drag the block to the right of another block until you see a vertical blue line indicating where it's going to be placed.
4. Release the block, and voilla! You have side-by-side content.

The beauty of this method is its intuitiveness. You can easily adjust the width of each block by dragging the divider between them. This flexibility allows you to customize your layout to better fit your content. Whether one block needs to be wider than the other or vice versa.

Using the Slash Command

Another efficient way to create side-by-side blocks is by using the slash command.

1. Click on the page to activate the cursor.
2. Type / to bring up the block menu.
3. Select the block type you want to create.
4. After the block is created, drag it to the right of an existing block as described in the drag-and-drop method.

The slash command is a favorite among Notion users for its speed. You can create and organize your workspace without even touching your mouse, making the process fast and efficient.

Adjusting Block Width

Once you've created your side-by-side layout, you might want to adjust the width of your blocks to better fit your content. This is a straightforward process in Notion.

1. Hover over the vertical line between your blocks.
2. Click and drag the line left or right to adjust the width.

Adjusting the block width can make a big difference in readability and aesthetics. For instance, if one column contains text and the other contains an image, you might want the text column to be narrower to keep line lengths comfortable for reading, while the image column could be wider to display the image more clearly.

Adding More Columns

Why stop at just two columns? Notion allows you to create multiple columns, giving you a truly customized layout.

1. Follow the steps to create a second column.
2. Once you have two columns, create a third block and drag it to the right of the current setup.
3. You can continue this process to add more columns as needed.

Multiple columns can be particularly useful for complex projects. Think of a project dashboard where you have tasks, timelines, and notes all visible at once. Or, a personal planner with daily, weekly, and monthly views side-by-side. The possibilities are endless, and the setup is as simple as dragging and dropping.

Using Templates for Consistency

Templates can be a lifesaver in Notion, especially when you find a column setup that works well for you. Instead of recreating it every time, you can save it as a template.

Here's how to do it:

1. Set up your page with the desired columns and blocks.
2. Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the page.
3. Select "Template" from the menu.
4. Save your current layout as a template.

Now, every time you start a new project, you can simply load your template and hit the ground running. It's a small step that can save you a significant amount of time in the long run.

Spell: Your AI Assistant in Notion

While Notion is fantastic, sometimes you need a little extra help, especially when drafting or editing content. This is where Spell comes into play. As an AI document editor, Spell can help you create and edit high-quality documents quickly. Imagine having the power to draft, refine, and polish your Notion content with AI assistance. All in real-time. It's like having a personal editor at your fingertips.

With Spell, you can generate drafts in seconds, edit them using natural language prompts, and collaborate with your team effortlessly. It's like adding an extra layer of efficiency to your Notion workflow, helping you create polished and professional documents without breaking a sweat.

Practical Use Cases for Side-by-Side Blocks

While the mechanics are important, seeing how side-by-side blocks can be applied might give you some inspiration. Here are a few practical use cases to consider:

Project Management

Use one column for a Kanban board to track tasks and another for notes and updates. This setup keeps everything related to a project in one view, reducing the need to switch tabs or scroll endlessly.

Content Planning

If you're managing a blog or a content calendar, have your schedule on one side and detailed content outlines on the other. This lets you match content pieces with dates without having to flip back and forth.

Personal Journaling

Dedicate one column to daily entries and another to goals or inspirational quotes. It's a great way to keep your reflections and motivations aligned.

Financial Tracking

Want to keep an eye on your expenses? Have your budget in one column and actual spending in another. It's a simple yet effective way to manage your finances at a glance.

The versatility of side-by-side blocks means they can be adapted to almost any task or project, providing a more organized and efficient workflow.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

As with any tool, there are some common pitfalls users might encounter when setting up side-by-side blocks in Notion. Let's go through a few and how to avoid them.

Overcrowding

It's tempting to fill every inch of your workspace with information. But overcrowding can lead to confusion and decreased productivity. Keep your columns focused and concise. If you find yourself squinting or struggling to find information, it might be time to scale back.

Neglecting Mobile View

Remember that Notion pages often look different on mobile devices. If you're setting up side-by-side blocks, check how they appear on a phone or tablet. You might need to adjust widths or content to ensure it remains readable and useful on smaller screens.

Ignoring Templates

We've talked about templates, but it's worth reiterating. Failing to use templates means you're likely wasting time on repetitive setups. Once you find a layout that works, save it as a template and make your life easier.

Enhancing Your Notion Page with Other Features

Adding blocks to the right is just one way to enhance your Notion experience. There are other features and tips that can complement your side-by-side layout.

Use Toggles for Clarity

Toggles are a great way to keep your page clean and organized. You can hide additional information within a toggle, revealing it only when needed. This is especially useful if you have detailed notes or instructions that don't need to be visible at all times.

Integrate Databases

Databases can be integrated into your side-by-side layout for more structured data management. Whether it's a CRM, a task list, or a content calendar, databases provide a powerful way to organize and interact with data.

Utilize Embeds

You can embed content from other platforms directly into your Notion page. This might include Google Maps, YouTube videos, or even tweets. Embeds can enrich your page with additional context or information without cluttering your layout.

Collaborating with Your Team

If you're working with a team, Notion's collaborative features shine even more with side-by-side blocks. Everyone can view and edit the same page simultaneously, making real-time collaboration seamless.

Comments and Mentions

Use comments to discuss specific parts of your page without cluttering the main content. Mentions allow you to notify team members about tasks or updates, keeping everyone in the loop.

Sharing and Permissions

Notion lets you control who can view or edit your pages. For team projects, ensure the right people have access to the information they need. This can prevent accidental changes or unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Spell for Team Collaboration

While Notion is great for collaboration, Spell takes it a step further. We offer real-time collaborative document editing with AI assistance. This means your team can not only edit documents together but also leverage AI to draft and refine content. It's like having an extra set of hands (or minds) to help create the best possible documents.

Customizing Your Workspace

Your Notion workspace should feel like your own. Here are some ways to customize it further:

Theming and Colors

Notion offers a dark mode and various color options for blocks. Customize these to match your aesthetic or to make certain blocks stand out.

Icons and Cover Images

Add icons or cover images to your pages for a personal touch. They can also serve as visual cues, helping you quickly identify different types of content.

Spell's Customization Options

When using Spell, you can also customize your documents with ease. From choosing different styles to collaborating in real-time, our platform adapts to your workflow, making sure your documents not only look good but are also highly functional.

Final Thoughts

Adding blocks to the right in Notion opens up a world of possibilities for organizing and viewing your content more effectively. Whether you're managing a project or planning your week, this feature can make your workspace more dynamic and efficient. And with the help of Spell, you can take your productivity even further. Our AI document editor streamlines the writing and editing process, allowing you to focus on what truly matters. Try it out and see how it can transform your Notion experience.