7 Ways to Use Sidebar Sections in Notion

Sidebar Sections in Notion
$title$

The versatility of database views in Notion is further enhanced by sidebar sections, bringing a whole new dimension to organization and accessibility. These sections can be effortlessly created to fit any workflow or preference, opening up countless possibilities for managing information. Whether you’re a visual thinker or prefer a more structured approach, sidebar sections adapt seamlessly to your style.

With sidebar sections, you gain the power to segregate and categorize your database’s content based on specific properties, tags, or even custom formulas. This level of granularity not only helps declutter your workspace but also provides a bird’s-eye view of the underlying data structure. Moreover, by utilizing the advanced filtering capabilities, you can uncover patterns and insights that might otherwise remain hidden, empowering you to make well-informed decisions and streamline your workflow.

Transitioning between different perspectives within your database becomes effortless with sidebar sections. With just a few quick clicks, you can switch from a comprehensive list view to a filtered, grouped, or sorted view, tailored to your current context. This dynamic functionality ensures that valuable information is always within reach, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual sorting or filtering. By leveraging the flexibility of sidebar sections, you unlock a seamless and intuitive navigation experience that complements your workflow perfectly.

Understanding Sidebar Sections

Sidebar sections serve as navigational hubs in Notion, providing quick access to essential content. These sections are located on the left-hand side of your Notion workspace, below the page list. The sidebar can be expanded or collapsed by clicking on the arrow icon at the bottom of the section.

Each sidebar section contains a set of links that can include pages, databases, and other views. For instance, you can create a “Projects” section with links to specific project pages, or a “Resources” section with links to important documents or websites.

Sidebar sections offer several advantages:

Enhanced Organization: Sidebar sections allow you to group related content together, providing a structured and organized workspace.
Quick Access: By placing frequently accessed pages and databases in sidebar sections, you can quickly navigate your workspace without having to search through folders or menus.
Customization: You can customize sidebar sections to suit your specific needs by changing their names, colors, and adding or removing links.

Understanding the purpose and benefits of sidebar sections is crucial for effectively using them in Notion. By leveraging the full potential of these sections, you can create a highly organized and efficient workspace that meets your unique requirements.

Creating a New Sidebar Section

Creating a new sidebar section is a straightforward and customizable process. To get started, click on the “+” icon in the bottom left corner of your Notion workspace. From the pop-up menu, select “Sidebar section.” A new section will be added to the bottom of your sidebar.

Once created, you can give your sidebar section a title by clicking on it and typing in the desired name. To add content to your section, simply drag and drop blocks from your workspace or use the “+” icon within the section to create new blocks.

Notion provides a variety of block types to choose from, including text, databases, tables, and more. You can also customize the appearance of your sidebar section by changing the background color, adding a cover image, and adjusting the font and font size.

Here is a table summarizing the key steps involved in creating a new sidebar section:

Step	Action
1	Click the “+” icon in the bottom left corner of your Notion workspace.
2	Select “Sidebar section” from the pop-up menu.
3	Give your sidebar section a title by clicking on it and typing in the desired name.
4	Add content to your section by dragging and dropping blocks from your workspace or using the “+” icon within the section.
5	Customize the appearance of your sidebar section by changing the background color, adding a cover image, and adjusting the font and font size.

Adding Content to a Sidebar Section

Once you’ve created a sidebar section, you can start adding content to it. There are several ways to do this:

1. **Drag and drop:** You can drag and drop any block into a sidebar section. This includes text, images, code snippets, tables, and more.

2. **Use the “Insert” menu:** You can also use the “Insert” menu to add content to a sidebar section. To do this, click on the “Insert” menu and select the type of content you want to add.

3. **Use the “/” key:** You can also use the “/” key to quickly add content to a sidebar section. To do this, type “/” followed by the type of content you want to add. For example, to add a text block, type “/text”.

Once you’ve added content to a sidebar section, you can use the “Move” tool to rearrange the content. You can also use the “Edit” tool to change the content of a block.

Tips for Adding Content to a Sidebar Section

Here are a few tips for adding content to a sidebar section:

Tip	Description
Use headings and subheadings to organize your content.	This will make it easier for users to scan your content and find the information they need.
Use images and videos to break up your text and make your content more engaging.	Just be sure to use images and videos that are relevant to your content.
Use tables to present data in a clear and concise way.	Tables are a great way to organize information and make it easy for users to compare different data points.
Use callouts to highlight important information.	Callouts are a great way to draw attention to important information or to provide additional context.

Customizing Sidebar Section Appearance

Once you’ve created sidebar sections, you can customize their appearance to match your preferences and enhance the visual appeal of your Notion workspace. Here are some customization options:

Section Name:

You can change the name of the section by clicking on the existing name and typing in the new one. Keep it concise and descriptive to help you easily identify the contents within.
Section Icon:

Notion offers a range of icons to represent your sidebar sections. To change the icon, click on the current one and select from the available options. You can also upload a custom icon if desired.
Section Color:

Add a splash of color to your sidebar sections by choosing a custom color from the palette. Click on the color square next to the section name to open the color picker. You can select a color that complements the content of the section or matches your overall workspace aesthetic.

Section Background Color:

In addition to the section color, you can also set a unique background color for each section. This can help create visual separation and make it easier to distinguish between different areas of your workspace. To change the background color, click on the color square icon located in the bottom right corner of the section.

Option	Description
“Transparent”	No background color is applied, allowing the page background to show through.
“Section color”	The background color matches the chosen section color.
“Custom color”	You can select a specific color from the color picker to use as the background.

Resizing and Reordering Sidebar Sections

To resize a sidebar section, simply hover over the right edge of the section and drag it to the desired width. You can also reorder sections by dragging and dropping them into the desired order.

Reordering Sidebar Sections

To reorder sidebar sections, simply drag and drop them into the desired order. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to reorder sections:
– **Up:** Alt + Shift + Up Arrow
– **Down:** Alt + Shift + Down Arrow

Adding a New Sidebar Section

To add a new sidebar section, click on the “+” button at the bottom of the sidebar. You can then choose the type of section you want to add from the menu that appears.

Deleting a Sidebar Section

To delete a sidebar section, hover over the section and click on the “x” button that appears in the top right corner. You can also delete a section by pressing the Delete key on your keyboard.

Renaming a Sidebar Section

To rename a sidebar section, double-click on the section name and enter the new name. You can also rename a section by pressing the F2 key on your keyboard.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Sidebar Sections

The following keyboard shortcuts can be used to perform common operations on sidebar sections:
– **Open/Close Sidebar:** Ctrl + /
– **Add New Section:** Ctrl + Shift + N
– **Delete Section:** Ctrl + Shift + D
– **Rename Section:** F2
– **Resize Section:** Alt + Drag

Linking Sidebar Sections to Pages

To link a sidebar section to a specific page in Notion, follow these steps:

In the sidebar, click the three dots next to the section you want to link.
Select “Link to page”.
In the pop-up window, select the page you want to link to.
Click “Link”.

When you click on the linked sidebar section, it will take you directly to the linked page.

Linking Multiple Sidebar Sections to a Single Page

You can also link multiple sidebar sections to a single page. To do this:

In the sidebar, click the three dots next to the first section you want to link.
Select “Link to page”.
In the pop-up window, select the page you want to link to.
Click “Link”.
Repeat steps 1-4 for each additional section you want to link to the same page.

When you click on any of the linked sidebar sections, it will take you to the linked page.

Using the Backlink Database to Link Sidebar Sections to Pages

Another way to link sidebar sections to pages is to use the Backlink database.

Create a new Backlink database.
In the “Property” column, create a property called “Page” (or any other name you want to use).
In the “Value” column, select the page you want to link to.
In the sidebar, click the three dots next to the section you want to link.
Select “Link to database”.
In the pop-up window, select the Backlink database you created.
Click “Link”.

When you click on the linked sidebar section, it will take you to the linked page.

Managing Sidebar Sections

Notion’s sidebar sections provide a convenient way to organize your workspace and streamline your workflow. Here’s a detailed guide to help you manage and customize these sections:

Creating New Sections

To create a new section, simply click on the “+” button at the bottom of the sidebar. You can then give the section a name and choose its color.

Adding Pages and Databases

To add pages or databases to a section, simply drag and drop them from the main workspace into the section. You can also use the “Add to Sidebar” option from the page or database’s context menu.

Reordering Sections

To reorder sections, simply drag and drop them to the desired position in the sidebar.

Collapsing and Expanding Sections

To collapse or expand a section, click on the arrow next to its name.

Renaming Sections

To rename a section, double-click on its name and enter a new one.

Deleting Sections

To delete a section, click on the three dots next to its name and select “Delete.”

Customizing Section Colors

To customize the color of a section, click on the three dots next to its name and select “Change Color.” You can then choose a color from the palette or enter a custom hex code.

Hiding and Unhiding Sections

To hide a section, click on the three dots next to its name and select “Hide.” To unhide a section, click on the “Hidden” section at the bottom of the sidebar and select the section you want to unhide.

Setting Primary Sections

You can set a primary section by clicking on the three dots next to its name and selecting “Set Primary.” The primary section will be displayed at the top of the sidebar, making it easier to access frequently used pages and databases.

Troubleshooting Sidebar Section Issues

If you’re experiencing issues with your sidebar sections in Notion, try these troubleshooting tips:

1. Make sure the sidebar is enabled

The sidebar may be disabled in your workspace. To enable it, click the three dots in the top-right corner of the workspace and select “Enable Sidebar”.

2. Check your permissions

You may not have permission to view or edit the sidebar sections. Check with the workspace owner or administrator to ensure you have the necessary permissions.

3. Refresh the page

Sometimes, refreshing the page can resolve minor issues with the sidebar sections. Press Ctrl+F5 (Windows) or Cmd+R (Mac) to refresh the page.

4. Clear your browser cache and cookies

Clearing your browser cache and cookies can resolve issues caused by outdated or corrupted files. Here are instructions for clearing your cache and cookies in different browsers:

Browser	Instructions
Chrome	Click the three dots in the top-right corner and select “More tools” > “Clear browsing data”. Select “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and other site data”.
Firefox	Click the three lines in the top-right corner and select “Options” > “Privacy & Security”. Under “Cookies and Site Data”, click “Clear Data”.
Safari	Click the Safari menu in the top-left corner and select “Preferences” > “Privacy”. Click “Manage Website Data” and select “Remove All”.

5. Try a different browser

If you’re still having issues, try using a different browser. This can help identify if the issue is related to your browser or the Notion app.

6. Contact Notion support

If you’ve tried all of the above troubleshooting tips and are still experiencing issues with your sidebar sections, contact Notion support for assistance.

7. Sidebar Section Not Showing

Check if you have permission to view or edit the page. Ensure that the sidebar is enabled in the workspace settings.

8. Sidebar Section Not Dragging

Verify that you have editing permissions for the page. Make sure the sidebar section is not locked or has permissions restrictions.

9. Sidebar Section Not Collapsing

Check if the sidebar is properly enabled in the workspace settings. Ensure that you have editing permissions for the page.

10. Sidebar Section Not Showing Page Content

Confirm that the page linked to the sidebar section is accessible and not set to private. Check if the page has been deleted or moved.

How to Use Sidebar Sections in Notion

Sidebar sections in Notion provide a convenient way to organize and access your content. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create and use them:

Open Notion and navigate to the page where you want to add a sidebar section.
Click on the plus (+) icon in the sidebar.
Select “Section” from the menu.
Give your section a title and choose its icon.
Drag and drop pages, databases, and other content into the section.
To create a nested section, drag and drop an existing section into another section.