You spend a lot of time recreating the same types of pages in Notion? Meeting notes, client files, project briefs…

Notion templates are THE solution to stop starting from scratch. In a few clicks, you can recreate complete structures with all the pre-filled information.

In this article, I’ll show you the 3 ways to create a template in Notion and when to use each method.

Why Use Templates in Notion?

A template is a model page that you can reuse as many times as you want. Instead of recreating the same structure, you click a button and boom, your page is ready.

The advantages are huge:

Monumental time savings: No need to recreate the same structure 50 times. What took 10 minutes is done in 2 clicks.

Guaranteed consistency: All your pages follow the same structure. No more forgetting important sections.

Process standardization: Perfect for teams that want to harmonize their way of working.

There are 3 ways to create templates in Notion, each suited to specific needs.

The 3 Methods to Create a Notion Template

Method 1: The Template Button

The template button is a Notion block that allows you to insert pre-formatted content into a page.

When to use it?

To add repetitive blocks: “Week Notes” section in your journal, “Action items” block in your meeting notes, or new task with defined structure.

How to create a template button?

1. Type /button in a Notion page, then select “Button”
2. Click on the gear icon to the right of the gray button
3. Give your button a name (example: “Add weekly note”)
4. Create an “Insert blocks” action and build the desired structure
5. Choose the block location (below, above, at top, at bottom)
6. Click “Done”

Every time you click this button, the content inserts automatically!

Method 2: Database Templates

This is THE most powerful and most used method. Database templates create page models that open directly in a database.

When to use it?

For all your databases where you regularly create similar new entries: Clients database with “Client file” template, Projects database with project management template, Meeting notes database with meeting report template, Content database with Article, Newsletter, Post templates, etc.

How to create a database template?

1. Open your database (from any view)
2. Click the arrow next to the “New” button
3. Select “New template”
4. Give your template a name
5. Create the page structure you want
6. Customize default properties if needed
7. Add an icon and description
8. Exit the template page

Now, when you click “New”, Notion offers you your different templates!

You can also set a default template: click the arrow next to “New”, then … next to your template and “use as default”. It’s also through this menu that you can modify or delete your template.

Pro tip: You can create multiple different templates in the same database. For example, in the Clients database, a “Coaching client” template, a “Creation client” template, and a “Prospect” template.

Bonus: recurring templates

You can configure a template to automatically create a new page at regular intervals! Perfect for a weekly note that creates every Monday, a monthly report on the 1st of each month, or a daily tracker every morning.

To activate recurrence: click … on your template, then configure the frequency by clicking “repeat”.

Method 3: Page to Duplicate

This is the simplest method: you create a model page that you manually duplicate.

When to use it?

This method is practical to share a template outside your Notion space, create a one-time model not linked to a database, keep a “master template” intact, or create templates to sell or give away (like my freebies or my premium templates)!

How to create a page to duplicate?

1. Create a page with the desired structure
2. Add all necessary blocks, sections, databases
3. Name it clearly (example: “📝 Template – Project Brief”)
4. Keep it accessible
5. To reuse it, 2 options:
   • In your space: click … next to the title → “Duplicate”
   • In another space: click share, then publish, keeping “duplicate as template” checked. Get the link, display the page and duplicate it.

Which Method to Choose According to Your Need?

You’ll probably use all three methods in your space. Each has its purpose!

Tips for Creating Effective Templates

1. Keep your templates simple : A good template isn’t necessarily complex. Start with the essentials and add over time.
2. Use callouts for instructions : Add callouts (colored information blocks) in your templates to give indications on how to fill each section.
3. Pre-fill what can be : In database templates, pre-fill certain properties with default values.
4. Use emojis and colors : Make your templates visually pleasant and easily identifiable.
5. Test and adjust regularly : If you notice you always delete the same section or add the same thing, adjust your template!

Using Notion Community Templates

You don’t have to create all your templates from scratch! Notion offers a marketplace with thousands of free and paid templates created by the community.

Where to find templates?

• The official Notion gallery
• My free templates
• My premium templates

Warning: Never use a template as is! Templates are starting points. You must always adapt them to your brain and your way of working: if you want to know how, check out this article dedicated to using and adapting a template.

Conclusion

Notion templates are a game-changer for your productivity. They allow you to save hours each week by stopping recreating the same pages, standardize your processes to forget nothing, start each project with a clear structure, and harmonize teamwork.

You now know the 3 methods to create templates in Notion:

1. The template button to insert repetitive content
2. Database templates to standardize your entries
3. The page to duplicate to share or reuse occasionally

Your turn! Start by identifying 2-3 types of pages you recreate regularly and transform them into templates. You’ll see the difference.

Ready to create your first template and boost your productivity?

If you want help structuring your space with custom templates, discover my Notion coaching sessions!