Most people think that tables are synonymous with databases in Notion. Unfortunately, they aren’t, especially in their functionality.
Technically, tables in Notion are used when you want to organize data without using the other functionalities of a database. To make a table in Notion, keep reading.
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How to Make Table in Notion
Granting that you have already opened the Notion page you want to add a table into, follow the next steps.
1. Select a blank space on the Notion page and click it.
This places the blinking cursor, marking the spot where the table is to be added.
2. Add the table block.
One way to do this is to click the “+” button and select the “Table” option.
Another way of making tables in Notion is to type the “/table” command. Regardless, a dropdown menu appears.
3. Select “Table.”
Find the “Simple Table” option and click it. A 2-row, 2-column table will appear.
4. Add a row or column header to the table.
Row or column headers make the header name of that row or column stand out from the rest of the data to be added. The text in it is in bold format and has a colored background.
Click “Options” in the floating taskbar and select the toggles for “Column header” or “Row header.” These toggles then turn blue from grey.
5. Add a column or row to the table.
There are two ways to add rows or columns to the table.
One way is by clicking the “+” button after the last column or row (you’ll see this icon when hovering the cursor on that side) in the table.
Another way is to click on the 6-dot handle on top of the column or the left side of the row. Then select the “Insert Above” or “Insert Below” options for adding a row.
Select “Insert Left” or “Insert Right” to add a column to the table.
Automatically, the new column or row is then added to the table.
6. Choose the row or column’s background color.
Do this by clicking on the 6-dot handle above the column or on the left side of the row. Select “Color” (with a paint roller brush icon on its left side) and choose a hue from the “Background Color” section.
7. Rearrange the columns or rows in the Notion table.
Do this by clicking and dragging the 6-dot handle to where you want to reposition the column or row in the table.
8. Duplicate the contents of a row or column.
Do this by selecting the 6-dot handle above or to the side of that column or row and clicking “Duplicate” in the dropdown menu.
9. Add text inside the table’s cells.
Double-click inside the row or cell to type out its contents. If you want to center the text, press the spacebar on your keyboard several times until the text in it is centered.
The usual keyboard shortcut for centering text (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + E) doesn’t work here.
But you can change the text color by clicking the 6-dot handle and selecting “Color.” Then go to the “Text Color” section and choose a color you’ll use.
10. Make the Notion table fit the space on the page.
Select the “Fit table to page with” icon on the floating taskbar. The table then snaps to the width of the Notion page.
11. Display the table beside other blocks on the Notion page.
With the same 6-dot handle on the upper left of the Notion table, click and drag the table to where you want to reposition it.
Just make sure you see a blue bar above or to the side of the other Notion block to display it with the table block side-by-side.
But, as the simple table in Notion has limited features, you can convert it to a database instead.
How to Convert Table in Notion to Database
Notion databases enable the users to make progress bars, responsive habit tracker templates, and calculate percentages.
Even if you have added a simple table block to your Notion page, not all is lost. You can still convert those simple tables into databases.
1. Select the 3-dot icon on the taskbar.
A dropdown menu then appears.
2. Click the “Turn into database” option.
Automatically, the simple table becomes a database, complete with its functionalities. Plus, the table-now-database is stretched to the width of the page.
Notion Table vs. Database — The Difference
Both the table and database features in Notion are used for displaying data in tabular format. This way, you and your readers can quickly deduce insights from the data presented.
Plus, it organizes data points in an organized and concise manner without using too much wording.
But if they are used for data presentation, how do tables and databases differ in Notion?
Notion Table
Notion table, aka the simple table block, is best used for displaying static information (not changing). This means that your only aim is to present the data as neatly and as organized as possible.
Hence, specialized functions like relations, linking to other databases, and calculations are not present in Notion tables. But you can always convert a Notion table to a database to use these special functions.
Also, you can place Notion tables side-by-side with other blocks without affecting the table format.
Notion Database
A Notion database is best used for presenting dynamic (changing). These data can be categorical or repetitive data that you can present in tabular format.
Since it’s changing, you need special functions like calculations and relations to automate the process.
Some of the functions you can do within a Notion database but not on a simple table include:
- Calculations (percentages, sum of a column/row, average, etc.)
- Progress bar creation
- Template creation (habit tracker, dashboard template, wedding planner template, workout template, ADHD template, etc.
- Freeze columns
- Adding recurring reminders
- Categorization using Notion tags
But unlike Notion tables, you can’t place the database beside other blocks as it is stretched out to the page’s width.
Conclusion
Learning to incorporate a table in Notion streamlines how you manage and structure your data. Though the simple table doesn’t have the functionalities of a database, you can still create lists, track projects, and analyze static data.
Start organizing your data in an uncomplicated way with the help of simple tables in Notion.