Notion is a cloud-based workspace. You can use it to take notes, manage tasks, and work together with others. One great thing about Notion is that you can change the colors to make it look the way you want. This guide will teach you how to change colors in Notion.
Notion lets you change colors in different ways. You can change the color of individual blocks, the colors of properties in a database, and the overall color mode of your workspace.
You can change the background color of blocks like text, code, and to-do lists. This can help you make certain parts stand out.
To change a block's color:
Select the block you want to change.
Click the "More" button (same button used in moving the block) in the block's menu.
Choose "Color" from the dropdown menu.
Pick the color you want or enter a color code.
You can also use a keyboard shortcut to change a block's color quickly. The shortcut is Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + C.
Here's a table showing the default shortcut for different block types:
| Block Type | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Text | Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + C |
| Code | Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + C |
| To-Do List | Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + C |
Tip: Use contrasting colors for text and background so it's easy to read.
Notion databases do not have a built-in option to apply color formatting. However, you can utilize the flexible Toggle List block as a workaround to achieve colored databases. Follow these steps:
Create a new Toggle List block by clicking the + icon or typing / and selecting Toggle List from the options.
Customize the appearance of the Toggle List by applying your desired text and/or background colors:
Click the dotted icon next to the block or type / to reveal the formatting options. Then, search for or scroll to the color(s) you want to apply.
Ensure that your database is on the same page as the colored Toggle List. If you haven't already, create a new database on the page or move/link an existing one to the current page.
Drag and drop the database block into the colored Toggle item you created earlier.
By following these steps, you can effectively display your Notion database within a colored Toggle List block, providing a visually appealing and organized way to present your data.
Here's an example of how you could use different colors for different properties:
| Property | Example Colors |
|---|---|
| Status | Green (Active), Yellow (In Progress), Red (Blocked) |
| Priority | Red (High), Orange (Medium), Blue (Low) |
| Category | Purple (Marketing), Teal (Sales), Pink (HR) |
Notion has two overall color modes: Light and Dark. You can switch between these modes, but you can't choose other colors for the whole workspace.
To change the color mode:
Click the "settings and members" link in the left side of your Notion workspace.
Select "Settings".
Toggle between Light and Dark mode.
The Light mode has a white background, while the Dark mode has a dark gray background.
| Mode | Background Color |
|---|---|
| Light | White |
| Dark | Dark Gray |
While you can't choose other colors for the whole workspace, you can still make it look nice by using colors for individual blocks and database properties.
If you know how to code, you can use custom CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to change more things in Notion, including background colors.
However, changing Notion's CSS can be difficult. You need to know a lot about web development. If you change things the wrong way, you might break your Notion workspace.
If you want to try this, you can find help online or ask experienced web developers for help. You can also join the Notion community to get support.
Using colors in your Notion workspace can be helpful in several ways:
Carefully choosing and using colors can make your Notion workspace look nice. This can improve your mood and motivation.
Using different colors for different projects, tasks, or categories can help you stay organized. You can quickly find what you need when things are color-coded.
A well-organized and nice-looking workspace can help you be more productive. It can help you focus and do more work.
While Notion lets you change colors in many ways, there are some limitations:
Notion doesn't have a way to change the background color of an entire page or workspace. You can only change individual blocks, database properties, and the overall Light/Dark mode.
The only options for changing the color of your whole Notion workspace are Light and Dark modes. If you want other colors for the whole workspace, you might need to use custom coding or other tools.
If the color options in Notion aren't enough for you, you can try these other options:
There are plugins and extensions made by other companies that can add more features to Notion, including more color options. One popular plugin is called Notion Boost. It lets you change the background color of pages.
You can use tools like Notaku to turn your Notion workspace into a website. Websites give you more control over design and colors than Notion does.
Keep in mind that these other options might have their own problems or costs, so make sure they work for what you need.
Changing colors in Notion can make your workspace look great and help you be more organized and productive. Notion lets you change the colors of individual blocks, database properties, and the overall Light/Dark mode.
While there are some limitations, like not being able to change the background color of an entire page, Notion is flexible. There are advanced options and third-party tools that can give you even more color customization.
Learning how to use colors in Notion can help you create a workspace that looks just the way you want it to. A nice-looking and well-organized workspace can motivate you and help you get more done.
So go ahead and play around with colors in Notion! With a little effort, you can make your workspace perfect for your needs and preferences. Happy customizing!
