How to Check Word Count on Notion

Notion is a versatile tool that many people use for note-taking, project management, and even as a personal knowledge base. But when it comes to tracking word count, things can get a little tricky. If you're wondering how to check word count on Notion, you're not alone. In this guide, we're going to walk through exactly how you can do that, and you'll see it's easier than you might think!

Why Word Count Matters in Notion

Before we get into the details of checking word count, let's talk about why you might need to do this in the first place. Word count is important for a variety of reasons, especially if you're a writer, student, or involved in any kind of content creation. For students, you might need to adhere to word limits for essays or projects. Writers often need to track word count to meet publication requirements or personal goals. Even if you're organizing information in Notion, keeping an eye on word count can help ensure your notes remain concise and to the point.

But why use Notion for this? Well, Notion's flexibility allows you to create documents, manage projects, and collaborate with others all in one place. This makes it a convenient tool for tracking word count as part of your overall workflow. So, let's get into the nuts and bolts of how to actually see those numbers in Notion.

Checking Word Count for a Single Block

Notion works a bit differently than traditional word processors like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. It organizes information into blocks, which can be text, images, databases, and more. Each block can have its own word count. To check the word count for a single block, follow these steps:

• Hover over the block you're interested in.
• Click on the three dots that appear on the left side of the block.
• You'll see a dropdown menu. Select "Word Count".
• A small pop-up will display the number of words in that block.

This method is straightforward for checking individual sections of your document. However, if you have a large document with multiple blocks, it can be cumbersome to check each one individually. That's where the next method comes in handy.

Checking Word Count for an Entire Page

If you need the word count for an entire page, Notion has a built-in feature to make this easier. Here's how you can do it:

• Go to the top right corner of your Notion window and click on the three dots (also known as the "More Options" menu).
• From the dropdown menu, select "Page Info".
• In the Page Info section, you'll see an option that says "Word Count". Clicking on it will show you the total word count for the entire page.

This method is much more efficient for larger documents, as it provides a quick overview of the entire page's word count. It's especially useful for long articles, reports, or any document where you need a comprehensive word tally.

Using Notion's Built-in Search Feature

Sometimes, you might want to check the word count of specific phrases or keywords within a document. Notion's search feature can be a useful tool for this. Here's how you can use it:

• Press Ctrl + F (or Cmd + F on Mac) to open the search feature.
• Type the word or phrase you're interested in.
• Notion will highlight all instances of the word or phrase in the document, and you'll see a count of how many times it appears.

While this doesn't give you a direct word count, it helps you track the frequency of specific words or phrases, which can be important for keyword optimization or content analysis.

Copying Text to an External Tool

Now, if you're looking for a more traditional word count check, you can always copy the text from Notion into another tool. Here's a simple way to do that:

• Select the text you want to analyze.
• Right-click and choose "Copy" or press Ctrl + C (or Cmd + C on Mac).
• Open a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
• Paste the text into the document by right-clicking and selecting "Paste" or pressing Ctrl + V (or Cmd + V on Mac).
• Use the word count feature in your word processor to check the word count.

This method is quite effective if you're already using tools like Word or Docs for other parts of your work. It also gives you access to additional features like grammar checking and formatting options.

Interestingly enough, you can also use Spell to achieve similar results. With Spell, you can paste your text and get not only the word count but also AI-assisted editing and formatting suggestions. It's like having an editor on standby, ready to polish your document in seconds.

Using Third-party Integrations

Notion's flexibility allows for integration with other tools that can help with word count tracking. For example, you can connect Notion with Zapier to automate tasks that involve word counting. Here's a quick overview of how this might work:

• Create a Zap in Zapier that triggers when a new page is added in Notion.
• Set the action to copy the content to a word processor or spreadsheet app that has a word count feature.
• Use the word count feature in the target app to get your results.

While this approach requires a bit of setup, it can be incredibly powerful if you frequently need to track word count across multiple documents. Plus, it takes some of the manual work out of the process. And if you're already using Spell, you can streamline this workflow even further by leveraging Spell's AI capabilities to automate and enhance document editing and collaboration.

Keeping Track with Templates

If you often find yourself needing to track word counts, creating a Notion template can save you time. Here's how you can set up a template to make word counting more efficient:

• Create a new page in Notion and set it up as a template.
• Add sections for different parts of your document, each with its own block.
• Include a section at the bottom for "Total Word Count" where you can manually input the sum of words from each section.
• Save this page as a template so you can use it for new documents.

This approach is great for consistency and organization, allowing you to quickly replicate the structure for new projects. Templates make it easy to stick to word limits and keep your writing structured.

Using Databases for Word Count Tracking

Notion's database feature is another great tool for tracking word counts, especially if you're managing multiple documents or projects. Here's how you can use it:

• Create a database with columns for "Title", "Content", and "Word Count".
• For each entry, input the document title and content.
• Manually enter the word count for each document in the "Word Count" column.
• Use Notion's database sorting and filtering tools to organize your documents by word count, title, or any other criteria.

This method is particularly useful if you need to keep track of word counts across a large number of documents. It provides an at-a-glance view of your writing projects, making it easier to manage deadlines and ensure you stay within word limits.

And remember, if you're looking to save time and effort, Spell can assist by helping you generate, edit, and refine your documents efficiently. Our AI-powered tool streamlines the entire document creation process, allowing you to focus on what truly matters. Your content.

Handling Word Count for Collaborative Documents

If you're working on a project with multiple contributors, keeping track of word count can be a bit more complex. Notion allows for real-time collaboration, which is a fantastic feature. It does mean that word counts can change quickly. Here are some tips for managing this:

• Assign a specific section to each collaborator and track word count for each section separately.
• Use the comment feature to communicate about word count goals or limits within the document.
• Regularly update a master document with the latest word counts from each collaborator's section.

This way, everyone involved can stay on the same page regarding word count targets, ensuring the project remains within scope.

Final Thoughts

Tracking word count in Notion might seem daunting at first. With these methods, it becomes manageable and even straightforward. Whether you're working solo or in a team, these tips will help you stay within your word limits and keep your projects on track. And if you want to make the process even smoother, Spell offers AI-powered document editing that can speed up your workflow and enhance the quality of your writing. It's like having an assistant who's always ready to help you craft the perfect document.