Spencer Lanoue
Notion is a fantastic tool for organizing your life, whether it's for work projects, personal to-dos, or managing a blog. One of its most powerful features is the sidebar, which can keep everything in order. But did you know you can create sections in the Notion sidebar to make it even more organized? Let's walk through how you can do just that. Step by step, with some practical tips along the way. By the end, you'll have a beautifully organized Notion workspace that's as efficient as it is pleasing to the eye.
Why Sections in the Sidebar Matter
First off, why would you even want to bother with sections in your sidebar? Well, if you're anything like me, keeping things tidy is crucial for maintaining sanity in a digital workspace. Notion's sidebar is already quite helpful, allowing you to see all your pages and databases at a glance. But as you start adding more and more pages, it can become a bit cluttered.
Think of sections like folders in your email. They allow you to group related pages together, making it easier to find what you need without scrolling endlessly. For instance, you could have a section for work projects, another for personal tasks, and yet another for hobbies. This way, your sidebar becomes a roadmap that guides you seamlessly through your day.
Having sections can also help you focus. When you know exactly where everything is, you spend less time searching and more time doing. Plus, it just feels good to have everything in its right place, doesn't it?
Creating Your First Section
Alright, now that we know why sections are important, let's get down to business. Creating a section in Notion is surprisingly easy and doesn't require any tech wizardry. Here's how you do it:
- Open Notion and navigate to the sidebar on the left.
- Hover over the "New Page" option, and you'll see a little plus sign (+).
- Click on it, and a new page will appear at the bottom of your existing pages. Give it a name that reflects the category you want to create, like "Work Projects" or "Personal Tasks."
- Once you've named your section, drag it to where you want it in the sidebar. You can place it above or below existing pages as needed.
And there you have it! You've created your first section. Now, you can start adding pages to this section to keep things organized. It's as simple as dragging and dropping existing pages into your new section.
Organizing Pages Within Sections
Now that you've created a section, it's time to populate it with your pages. You might have a bunch of scattered pages that could benefit from some reorganization. Here's how you can do this:
- Click and hold on the page you want to move.
- Drag the page to your newly created section.
- Drop it in the section, and voilla. It's part of that section now!
You can keep adding pages into your sections this way. It's a bit like organizing your bookshelf. You wouldn't want your cooking books mixed with your sci-fi novels, right?
Interestingly enough, you can also create sub-sections within a section. This is especially useful if you have a large number of pages. For example, under "Work Projects," you might want sub-sections like "Current Projects" and "Completed Projects." Simply create another page within the section and use it as a sub-category.
Customizing Your Sections
Customizing sections can make them not only functional but also visually appealing. A well-organized sidebar with personalized touches can become a source of pride. Here's how you can customize your sections to make them uniquely yours:
- Emojis: Adding emojis to your section titles can make them stand out. Just click on the section name, and add an emoji at the beginning. A simple sun emoji for "Personal Tasks" can give a cheerful vibe!
- Colors: While Notion doesn't allow you to change the color of sidebar sections, you can color-code your pages within a section. Use colored backgrounds or text to differentiate between pages.
- Icons: Each page can have an icon, and these icons will show up in the sidebar. Choose icons that are meaningful to you. A briefcase for work-related sections, perhaps?
These little touches make it easier to navigate through your sections quickly. Plus, they add a splash of personality to your Notion workspace.
Utilizing Notion's Database Views
One of the cool things about Notion is its database feature, which can be used in conjunction with your sidebar sections. Databases allow you to filter and view information in various ways, making them perfect for project management.
Let's say you have a section called "Work Projects," and within it, you have several project pages. You can create a database view to keep track of tasks, deadlines, and other project details. Here's how you can do it:
- Create a new page within your section and select "Database" from the options.
- Choose the type of database view you want (table, board, calendar, etc.).
- Start adding entries to your database. For a project, you might include columns for task name, deadline, priority, and status.
What's amazing about databases is that you can link them to other pages and databases in Notion. This means you can have a central hub for all your project activities, making it easier to manage everything from one place.
And if you find creating databases a bit time-consuming, you might want to check out Spell. We can help you draft project plans and set up databases quickly using AI, saving you valuable time.
Sharing Sections with Team Members
Notion is not just for individual use' it's also a powerful collaboration tool. If you work with a team, sharing sections in the sidebar can help everyone stay on the same page. Literally. Here's how to share sections with your team:
- Click on the section or page you want to share.
- In the top right corner, you'll see a "Share" button. Click it to open sharing options.
- You can add team members by entering their email addresses. Set permissions as needed' you can allow them to view, comment, or edit.
- Once you've set the permissions, click "Invite" to send an invitation to your team members.
This feature is especially useful for projects that require input from multiple people. Everyone can access the same information, make updates, and see changes in real-time. It's collaboration made easy!
And if you're using Spell, you can even improve the quality of your shared documents with AI, ensuring everyone is working from the best possible draft.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with a tool as robust as Notion, you might occasionally run into issues. Here are a few common problems and how to solve them:
- Pages Not Dragging: If you're unable to drag pages into a section, check if you're in edit mode. Sometimes, being in view mode can prevent you from making changes.
- Sections Not Saving: If your sections don't appear to be saving, double-check your internet connection. Notion requires a stable connection to sync changes.
- Permissions Issues: If team members can't access shared sections, revisit the permissions settings. Ensure that they've been granted the correct access level.
Remember, Notion is constantly updating, so if you encounter a bug, it might be worth checking their support page for any updates or fixes. And if you need to create complex documents quickly, Spell can make it easier by helping you generate drafts and refine content with AI.
Advanced Tips for Power Users
For those who've mastered the basics and are seeking to push the boundaries of what Notion can do, here are some advanced tips to make your sidebar even more powerful:
- Templates: Create templates for frequently used pages. For instance, if you often make meeting notes, set up a template with headings and sections you commonly use. This saves time and ensures consistency across your pages.
- Linked Databases: Take advantage of linked databases to pull in data from other sections. This way, you can have a summary view in one section that brings together information from multiple projects.
- Automations: Use third-party automation tools like Zapier to connect Notion with other apps you use. This can automate repetitive tasks, like archiving completed tasks or sending reminders.
Experimenting with these advanced techniques can drastically improve how you use Notion. They might take a bit of time to set up initially, but the long-term benefits are worth it.
Keeping Your Sidebar Clean
As you create more sections and pages, the sidebar can start to feel a bit crowded. Keeping it tidy is an ongoing process. Here are some tips to maintain a clean and organized sidebar:
- Regularly Review and Archive: Set aside a few minutes each week to review your sections and pages. Archive any pages that are no longer relevant. This keeps your sidebar focused on what matters now.
- Use Folders: If you have many sections, consider grouping related sections into folders. This reduces clutter and makes navigation easier.
- Consistent Naming Conventions: Use consistent naming for your sections and pages. This makes it easier to find what you're looking for and keeps everything aligned.
A clean sidebar not only looks good but also helps you stay productive. With less clutter, you can focus on the tasks that truly matter.
Final Thoughts
Creating sections in the Notion sidebar is a simple yet powerful way to keep your digital workspace organized. With sections, you can manage projects and personal tasks more efficiently, and collaborating with a team becomes a breeze. And if you're looking to take your document creation to the next level, Spell can help you save time and improve quality by using AI to draft and refine your work. Here's to a more organized and productive Notion experience!
