How to create your first workspace on Notion
Quick Answer
Creating your first Notion workspace involves signing up for an account, choosing a workspace name, and selecting your use case. Once set up, you can start adding pages and organizing your content.
Prerequisites
- A Notion account
- Internet connection
- Basic understanding of web navigation
- Email access for verification
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Sign up for Notion
Go to notion.so and click Get Notion free. Enter your email address and create a password, or sign up using your Google or Apple account. Check your email for a verification link and click it to confirm your account.
Use a work email if you plan to invite team members later - this helps with organization
2
Choose your workspace name
After verification, Notion will prompt you to name your workspace. Enter a descriptive name like Personal Workspace, Team Projects, or your company name. This name will appear in the sidebar and can be changed later in settings.
Keep the name simple and memorable - you'll see it every time you use Notion
3
Select your use case
Choose how you plan to use Notion from the options: For myself, With my team, or For school. This helps Notion suggest relevant templates and features. Select the option that best matches your primary intended use.
4
Pick a workspace template
Notion will show template options based on your use case. You can choose from Personal Home, Team Home, Notes & Docs, or Start from scratch. Click on your preferred template to apply it to your workspace.
Don't worry about choosing the perfect template - you can always customize or change it later
5
Explore your workspace sidebar
Once created, your workspace appears in the left sidebar. You'll see your workspace name at the top, followed by any template pages that were added. Click on different pages to explore the structure and get familiar with the navigation.
Use <code>Ctrl+\</code> (Windows) or <code>Cmd+\</code> (Mac) to quickly toggle the sidebar
6
Create your first page
Click the + Add a page button in the sidebar or press
Ctrl+N (Windows) or Cmd+N (Mac). Give your page a title by clicking Untitled at the top. Start typing in the page body to add content, or use / to bring up the block menu for formatting options. Try typing <code>/heading</code> or <code>/bullet</code> to quickly add formatted content blocks
7
Customize workspace settings
Click on Settings & members in the sidebar to access workspace settings. Here you can change the workspace name, upload a logo, adjust permissions, and invite team members by clicking Invite people and entering their email addresses.
Set up your workspace icon and cover photo to make it feel more personalized
8
Organize with folders and sections
Create organization by dragging pages in the sidebar to nest them under others, or click + Add a page and select Private or Shared visibility. Use the six-dot handle next to page titles to drag and reorder pages as needed.
Group related pages together and use consistent naming conventions for better organization
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Verification email not received
Check your spam folder and ensure you entered the correct email address. Click Resend email on the verification page if needed.
Cannot see workspace in sidebar
Refresh your browser or try logging out and back in. Ensure you're signed into the correct account by checking the profile icon in the top-right corner.
Unable to invite team members
Verify you have admin permissions in Settings & members. Free plans have member limits - check if you need to upgrade your plan.
Pages not saving properly
Check your internet connection and try refreshing the page. Notion auto-saves, but poor connectivity can cause sync issues. Look for the syncing indicator in the top-right.
Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Notion website before purchasing.