How to build a To-Do List in Notion: A Step-by-Step Guide ( + free template)

 

In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the process of building an effective to-do list using Notion. To-do lists are invaluable tools for staying organized and productive, and Notion provides a versatile platform for crafting your personalized task management system.

Let’s get started!

We recommend you open your Notion workspace and follow our video at the same time so you can learn faster by building. You can also download the finished template for free below!

Creating a To-Do List Template

So, let’s dive into the steps to create your own to-do list template in Notion.

1. Create an Empty Notion Page:

• Start by opening a new Notion page & title the page “To-Do List Notion Template”
• Customize the Page with an icon, such as a checkmark, for visual appeal.
• Add a cover photo to personalize the template. You can access a wide range of stock images on Unsplash directly from Notion.

2. Optimize the Page Layout

• Use small text with full width for more workspace.
• Divide the page into two columns:
  • On the left, you’ll have a quick to-do list for immediate tasks.
  • On the right, create a task database for more extensive and categorized tasks.
• Add a Quick To-Do List: Type /to-do or /checkbox to create checkboxes for quick to-do items. You can use the keyboard shortcut Cmd/Ctrl + D to duplicate checkboxes quickly.

3. Create a Task Database

• Utilize Notion’s “Board” view to create a flexible task database.
• Clear the default cards, as they won’t be needed.
• Name this section “Task Database.”
• Customize your database by adding essential properties, such as:
  • Date: To keep track of task deadlines.
  • Task Type (Multi-select property): Categorize tasks (e.g., work, household, family).
• Adjust Layout for Task Database:
  • Hide the database title for a cleaner look.
  • Set the card preview to “None” to keep your view concise.
  • Customize the card size as per your preference.
  • Add colors to columns for better visual organization.

4. Exploring Calendar View

• Duplicate your board view by selecting “Calendar View” and renaming it.
• Change the layout to “Calendar.”
• Show relevant properties like date, status, and task type for a comprehensive overview of your tasks.
• You can toggle between month and week views as needed.

5. Sorting and Managing Tasks

• Use sorting options to arrange tasks by date.
• Prioritize tasks effectively by seeing the most recent ones at the top.
• Easily adjust task dates by dragging and dropping them within the calendar view.
• Modify and update tasks by clicking on them in the board view.

Congratulations! You successfully created the to-do list template!

Building a to-do list template in Notion provides you with a powerful tool to manage your tasks efficiently. Whether you’re handling quick to-dos or managing more complex projects, Notion’s flexibility allows you to customize your task management system to your specific needs.

While this tutorial covers the basics of creating a to-do list in Notion, you can further enhance your template by adding properties like notes, checkboxes, files, media, and URLs as needed. The possibilities are endless, and your to-do list can evolve to meet your evolving needs.

Download our templates

For the finished version of the template that we built during the build-with-me tutorial, download it for free below and check if everything is the same as your version! Although it’s free, we would greatly appreciate any donations so that we can continue doing this.

 

 

If you prefer a more detailed and advanced to-do list template, you can explore our comprehensive Notion templates available in our store. To get started immediately, you can access the completed version of this basic to-do list Notion template via the link in the description.

We recommend you check out our tutorials and build-with-me tutorial series to learn Notion more efficiently by practicing and building. Keep experimenting with Notion functions and you will surely find a way to adapt them to your specific needs!

 

Should you have any questions, or comments, or require clarification on any aspect discussed in this tutorial, please don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments section. We look forward to seeing you in the following tutorial!