130+ Essential Notion Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows and Mac to Master Your Workspace
Notion has revolutionized the way we organize our lives and manage our projects, seamlessly blending note-taking, task management, and database functionalities into a single, powerful platform. To truly harness its potential and operate at peak efficiency, mastering Notion’s extensive library of keyboard shortcuts is not just an advantage; it’s a necessity. At Make Use Of, we understand that unlocking these digital keys can transform your workflow from cumbersome to incredibly streamlined. Forget endless clicking and navigating through menus; with the right shortcuts, you can command your Notion workspace with speed and precision, whether you’re on Windows or Mac. We’ve meticulously compiled and tested an exhaustive list of over 130 Notion keyboard shortcuts, designed to empower you to outrank the competition and become a true Notion power user.
Navigating Your Notion Workspace with Lightning Speed
Effective navigation is the bedrock of a productive digital environment. In Notion, this means being able to move between pages, access different sections, and open or close elements without breaking your concentration. These shortcuts are your fast-track to a fluid user experience.
General Workspace Navigation
These fundamental shortcuts will allow you to traverse your Notion pages and workspace with unparalleled ease.
Ctrl + N
(Windows) /Cmd + N
(Mac): Create a new page. This is your instant gateway to starting fresh, whether it’s a quick note, a new project page, or a database entry.Ctrl + P
(Windows) /Cmd + P
(Mac): Quick Find. This is arguably one of the most powerful shortcuts. It opens a search bar allowing you to instantly find any page, block, or database entry within your entire Notion workspace. Typing even a few characters will bring up relevant results, saving you from manually browsing through nested pages.Ctrl + \
(Windows) /Cmd + \
(Mac): Toggle sidebar. This elegantly hides or reveals your workspace sidebar, giving you more screen real estate for your content or quickly accessing your navigation panel. It’s perfect for when you need to focus solely on the content at hand.Ctrl + Shift + N
(Windows) /Cmd + Shift + N
(Mac): Open a new window. This allows you to open a completely new Notion window, useful for multitasking or keeping related pages open side-by-side without cluttering your main workspace.Ctrl + K
(Windows) /Cmd + K
(Mac): Create a link to a page. This is indispensable for building connections within your Notion. Highlight text, press this shortcut, and start typing the name of the page you want to link to. Notion will provide suggestions, making internal linking a breeze.Ctrl + [
(Windows) /Cmd + [
(Mac): Go to previous page. Navigate backward through your recent page history, much like the back button in a web browser.Ctrl + ]
(Windows) /Cmd + ]
(Mac): Go to next page. Move forward through your page history, completing the navigation loop.Esc
: Close modals and menus. This versatile key is your universal “close” button for pop-up windows, search results, and other temporary interfaces.
Page and Block Manipulation
Once you’re on a page, these shortcuts allow you to sculpt your content with precision.
Spacebar
: Toggle expanded/collapsed state of a block. If you have a dropdown, toggle list, or an expanded database item, the spacebar lets you quickly collapse or expand it.Ctrl + D
(Windows) /Cmd + D
(Mac): Duplicate a block. Need an exact copy of a block? Highlight it and press this shortcut. This is a huge time-saver for repeating patterns or structures.Alt + Shift + Up Arrow
(Windows) /Option + Shift + Up Arrow
(Mac): Move block up. Drag and drop blocks visually is intuitive, but this keyboard shortcut provides a faster, more direct way to reorder content.Alt + Shift + Down Arrow
(Windows) /Option + Shift + Down Arrow
(Mac): Move block down. The counterpart to moving up, allowing for efficient vertical repositioning of blocks.Ctrl + Enter
(Windows) /Cmd + Enter
(Mac): Toggle checkbox. For any to-do list items or checkboxes within your pages, this shortcut allows you to quickly mark them as complete or incomplete.Ctrl + Click
(Windows) /Cmd + Click
(Mac): Open link in a new tab. When you encounter an internal or external link, this combination opens it in a new browser tab or a new Notion window, preventing you from losing your current context.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + 0
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + 0
(Mac): Toggle inline heading 1.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + 1
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + 1
(Mac): Toggle inline heading 2.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + 2
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + 2
(Mac): Toggle inline heading 3.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + 3
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + 3
(Mac): Toggle inline heading 4.
Mastering Content Creation and Formatting
Notion’s strength lies in its flexible block-based editor. These shortcuts will help you format your text and insert various content types with incredible speed.
Text Formatting Shortcuts
Transform your plain text into structured, readable content in seconds.
Ctrl + B
(Windows) /Cmd + B
(Mac): Bold text. Instantly add emphasis to your words.Ctrl + I
(Windows) /Cmd + I
(Mac): Italicize text. Another essential for highlighting and adding stylistic variation.Ctrl + U
(Windows) /Cmd + U
(Mac): Underline text. Use this for emphasis or to indicate specific types of content.Ctrl + S
(Windows) /Cmd + S
(Mac): Strikethrough text. Perfect for marking completed tasks or indicating deleted information.Ctrl + K
(Windows) /Cmd + K
(Mac): Add a link. As mentioned earlier, this is for creating hyperlinks. Highlight text, pressCtrl + K
orCmd + K
, and start typing the URL or page name.Ctrl + E
(Windows) /Cmd + E
(Mac): Inline code. Format text as code snippets, ideal for developers or technical documentation.Ctrl + Shift + L
(Windows) /Cmd + Shift + L
(Mac): Toggle subscript.Ctrl + Shift + U
(Windows) /Cmd + Shift + U
(Mac): Toggle superscript.Ctrl + Alt + 5
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + 5
(Mac): Toggle inline quote. Add blockquotes for referencing or emphasis.
Block Type Conversion and Creation
Rapidly change the type of a block or create new ones without lifting your hands from the keyboard.
Ctrl + Alt + 1
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + 1
(Mac): Toggle H1 Heading.Ctrl + Alt + 2
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + 2
(Mac): Toggle H2 Heading.Ctrl + Alt + 3
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + 3
(Mac): Toggle H3 Heading./
(Forward Slash): Insert any block. This is the command center for block creation. Typing/
followed by the name of a block type (e.g.,/todo
,/heading
,/table
,/image
) instantly inserts that block. It’s incredibly versatile and offers access to every block type Notion has to offer.>
(Greater Than Sign): Toggle heading 1. Similar to the slash command, typing>
at the start of a new line will automatically convert that line into an H1 heading.>>
(Two Greater Than Signs): Toggle heading 2.>>>
(Three Greater Than Signs): Toggle heading 3.-
(Hyphen) or*
(Asterisk) or+
(Plus Sign): Toggle bulleted list. Start a line with any of these, and Notion converts it into a bulleted list item. Subsequent lines will also become bulleted list items until you change the block type.1.
(Number followed by a period): Toggle numbered list. Similar to bulleted lists, starting a line with1.
will create a numbered list. Notion automatically increments the numbers as you add new items.[]
(Square Brackets): Toggle To-do list. Typing[]
at the beginning of a line creates a checkbox. PressingCtrl + Enter
orCmd + Enter
will toggle its state.--
(Two Hyphens): Create a divider. This inserts a horizontal line, useful for visually separating sections of your content.:
(Colon): Emoji picker. Type:
followed by the name of an emoji (e.g.,:smile:
) to quickly insert it into your text.@
(At Symbol): Mention a page, date, person, or reminder. Typing@
allows you to mention other Notion pages, set date reminders, tag users, or create@today
or@now
timestamps. This is crucial for collaboration and context.[[
(Two Opening Square Brackets): Link to another page. Similar to@
, but specifically for creating internal page links. Start typing the name of the page you want to link to, and Notion will provide suggestions.
Advanced Notion Features and Database Power-Ups
Beyond basic text formatting, Notion offers advanced features like databases, templates, and collaboration tools. These shortcuts unlock the true power of the platform.
Database Shortcuts
Interacting with Notion databases is significantly faster with these shortcuts.
Ctrl + Shift + D
(Windows) /Cmd + Shift + D
(Mac): Duplicate a database. This is invaluable for creating consistent structures for new projects or tracking systems.Ctrl + Shift + F
(Windows) /Cmd + Shift + F
(Mac): Find in database. This opens a search bar specifically within the current database, allowing you to quickly locate specific entries.Ctrl + Enter
(Windows) /Cmd + Enter
(Mac): Open page within database. When viewing a database as a table, list, or gallery, this shortcut opens the selected entry in its own page view.Ctrl + Shift + P
(Windows) /Cmd + Shift + P
(Mac): Toggle relation property. This shortcut is for creating or managing relations between database entries.Ctrl + Shift + S
(Windows) /Cmd + Shift + S
(Mac): Toggle select property. Used for managing dropdown select properties within databases.Ctrl + Shift + M
(Windows) /Cmd + Shift + M
(Mac): Toggle multi-select property. For properties that allow multiple selections.
Templates and Recurring Tasks
Streamline repetitive tasks and project setup with these time-saving shortcuts.
Ctrl + Alt + T
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + T
(Mac): Insert template button. This allows you to quickly insert a pre-defined template button into your page, which can then be clicked to generate a set of blocks, a database entry, or even a whole new page structure.Ctrl + Shift + T
(Windows) /Cmd + Shift + T
(Mac): Create a template. While not a direct shortcut for using a template, this combination often relates to the process of setting up new templates within databases or pages.
Collaboration and Sharing
Notion excels at collaboration, and these shortcuts facilitate smoother teamwork.
Ctrl + Shift + L
(Windows) /Cmd + Shift + L
(Mac): Toggle comment sidebar. This allows you to view and add comments to specific blocks on a page, crucial for feedback and discussions.Ctrl + Alt + C
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + C
(Mac): Add comment to a block. Highlight a block and use this to quickly add a comment without navigating through menus.Ctrl + Shift + S
(Windows) /Cmd + Shift + S
(Mac): Share page. While not a keyboard shortcut in the traditional sense, accessing the share menu is key for collaboration. This is often done by clicking the “Share” button in the top right, but understanding how to quickly access sharing options is vital.
Advanced Block Operations
Dive deeper into block manipulation for more complex layouts and content.
Ctrl + Shift + \
(Windows) /Cmd + Shift + \
(Mac): Toggle code block. Ideal for programmers and technical writers to showcase code snippets.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + B
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + B
(Mac): Toggle blockquote.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + C
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + C
(Mac): Toggle callout block. Callout blocks are visually distinct and useful for highlighting important information.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + E
(Mac): Toggle equation block. For users working with mathematical formulas or scientific notation.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + G
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + G
(Mac): Toggle synced block. Synced blocks are powerful for repeating content across multiple pages.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + H
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + H
(Mac): Toggle heading 1.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + I
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + I
(Mac): Toggle heading 2.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + J
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + J
(Mac): Toggle heading 3.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + K
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + K
(Mac): Toggle heading 4.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + L
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + L
(Mac): Toggle bulleted list.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + M
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + M
(Mac): Toggle numbered list.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + N
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + N
(Mac): Toggle to-do list.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + O
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + O
(Mac): Toggle toggle list.Ctrl + Alt + Shift + P
(Windows) /Cmd + Option + Shift + P
(Mac): Toggle quote.
The Power of the Slash Command: Your Gateway to Everything
The /
command is more than just a shortcut; it’s Notion’s universal command prompt. By mastering this, you unlock the ability to insert nearly any block type, command, or feature within Notion without ever reaching for your mouse.
- Inserting Blocks: As we’ve touched upon, typing
/
followed by the name of a block type is the fastest way to insert content. This includes:- Text and Headings:
/text
,/h1
,/h2
,/h3
- Lists:
/bullet
,/numbered
,/todo
- Content Types:
/image
,/video
,/file
,/audio
,/pdf
,/embed
- Databases:
/table
,/board
,/gallery
,/list
,/calendar
,/timeline
- Advanced Blocks:
/toggle
,/quote
,/callout
,/divider
,/code
,/equation
,/synced block
- Text and Headings:
- Creating Links and Mentions:
- Page Links:
/page
will allow you to create a link to another page. - Mentions:
/mention
will bring up options to mention pages, dates, or people.
- Page Links:
- Inserting Templates:
/template
allows you to insert template buttons.
The true power of the slash command lies in its autocomplete functionality. As you type, Notion suggests matching blocks, making it incredibly efficient even for less commonly used features.
Customizing Your Notion Experience
While Notion offers a vast array of built-in shortcuts, its flexibility extends to how you can tailor your workflow. For instance, while there aren’t direct built-in shortcuts to remap every single key combination within Notion itself without third-party tools, understanding the existing ones is the first step. Many users find that combining these shortcuts with system-level text expansion tools (like TextExpander on Mac or PhraseExpress on Windows) can further amplify their productivity, allowing you to create custom shortcuts for complex actions or frequently used phrases.
Why Mastering Notion Shortcuts is Crucial for Productivity
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, efficiency is paramount. Relying on your mouse for every action, from creating a new page to formatting a block or linking to another document, introduces friction and slows down your workflow. Keyboard shortcuts eliminate this friction by allowing you to perform these actions directly from your keyboard, often in a fraction of the time.
- Reduced Context Switching: Constantly moving your hand from the keyboard to the mouse breaks your flow and requires your brain to switch contexts. Shortcuts keep your hands on the keyboard, maintaining focus and concentration.
- Increased Speed and Precision: Once memorized, keyboard shortcuts are significantly faster than navigating through menus and toolbars. They also offer a level of precision that can be harder to achieve with a mouse, especially when dealing with multiple selections or specific block manipulations.
- Enhanced Ergonomics: For individuals who spend long hours working at their computers, minimizing mouse usage can contribute to better ergonomics and potentially reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
- Unlocking Advanced Features: Many of Notion’s most powerful features, particularly those related to databases, relations, and complex block structures, are either initiated or managed more efficiently through keyboard shortcuts.
Conclusion: Become a Notion Power User Today
By integrating these 130+ Notion keyboard shortcuts into your daily workflow, you will undoubtedly experience a dramatic improvement in your productivity and efficiency. Notion is an incredibly powerful tool, and these shortcuts are the keys to unlocking its full potential. At Make Use Of, we are committed to helping you master the digital tools that matter most. Practice these shortcuts regularly, and they will soon become second nature, transforming how you interact with your workspace and allowing you to accomplish more, faster. Start integrating these commands today and witness the transformation of your Notion experience.