How to Customize a Notion Template to Fit Your Workflow

Notion templates are a fantastic way to kickstart your workspace, whether you’re managing a business, tracking personal goals, or building a second brain. But to truly unlock the power of Notion, you’ll want to customize templates so they fit your unique needs and style.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to personalize a Notion template, from simple tweaks to advanced setup.

🧠 First: Get Familiar with Notion’s Features

Before you dive into customization, it helps to understand how Notion works under the hood. Notion is incredibly flexible, but that power can feel overwhelming at first.

📚 Pro Tip:

Take time to explore the Notion Help Center — it’s packed with beginner-friendly guides, videos, and feature explanations. You’ll learn about:

• Pages and sub-pages
• Databases and views (Table, Board, Calendar, Gallery, List)
• Blocks (text, images, toggles, embeds, etc.)
• Properties (Status, Select, Date, Number, Relation, etc.)
• Linked databases and filters
• Buttons and automations

Knowing these tools will make customizing templates faster and more effective.

✏️ Step-by-Step Guide to Customizing a Notion Template

1. Duplicate the Template to Your Workspace

If you’ve found a public template you like, hit “Duplicate” in the top right corner to add it to your Notion workspace. You can also create your own internal templates within your Notion pages.

2. Delete Prefilled Data

Many templates come with demo content (tasks, projects, goals, etc.). To start fresh:

• Open each database view (Table, Board, etc.)
• Press Ctrl + A / Cmd + A to select all items
• Right-click and hit Delete

More here: [How to delete prefilled data in Notion templates →]

3. Rename Pages and Headings

Change names of:

• Main sections (e.g. from “Marketing Tasks” to “Client Projects”)
• Pages and sub-pages
• Headers, notes, and button labels

This gives your template a more personal and meaningful structure.

4. Adjust Database Properties

Databases are at the heart of every Notion template. You can:

• Edit properties: Change or delete unused ones (e.g., replace “Tags” with “Priority”)
• Reorder properties to match your workflow
• Add new properties like Due Date, Progress %, or Client Name
• Use Relations and Rollups to connect databases together (e.g., Tasks linked to Projects)

5. Change Views and Layout

Each database can have multiple views. You can:

• Rename existing views (e.g., “Timeline” → “Quarterly Roadmap”)
• Create new views (Calendar, Board, Gallery)
• Add filters and sorts for better focus
• Choose which properties are visible in each view

6. Add Personal Touches

You can:

• Change icons and cover images
• Add custom callouts, quotes, or widgets
• Write your mission, goals, or values at the top
• Use divider lines and toggles for clean design
• Apply template buttons to automate repeated tasks

7. Hide or Delete Unused Sections

Templates often include extra sections you may not need. Don’t hesitate to:

• Delete unnecessary pages
• Collapse or hide blocks with toggles
• Archive outdated components

Keep your workspace clean and focused.

💡 Bonus Tips

• Use linked databases to show the same data in multiple places with different views.
• If you’re collaborating, share the page and adjust permission settings.
• Create template buttons for recurring tasks like creating a new meeting note or weekly review.

✅ Final Thoughts

Customizing a Notion template isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about building a system that works for you. Whether you’re a student, freelancer, entrepreneur, or team leader, tailoring your workspace will help you stay organized, focused, and productive.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Start small, iterate often, and make it yours.

👉 Want to go further?

Check out the Notion Help Center to learn more about advanced features like relations, rollups, formulas, and automation.