At Wielson, we’re always looking for smarter, more structured, and more efficient ways to use tools like Notion. Two recent features help us do just that: Customize layout and Tabbed layout. These updates give you greater control over how information is displayed - ideal for tailoring your workspace to your way of working.
Customize layout
With the Customize layout feature, you decide how properties are displayed on your database page. Some of the possibilities include:
- Dividing properties into sections
- Pinning properties to the top
- Adding properties as a separate group
- Moving properties to the side panel
- Hiding property icons
How do you get started?
Click Customise layout at the top of your database page. On the left, select Property group and choose how you'd like to organise your properties. You can divide them into different sections – for example, one for formulas, linked databases, or background info. This helps reduce overwhelm when working with lots of fields.
You can also pin key properties, such as project status or deadline. These then appear at the top, just below the title. You can also hide the label (i.e. the icon and field name), so that only the value is shown.
For longer text fields – like a detailed project description – you can add a separate group in the layout. This keeps your page clear and logically structured.
Prefer to keep certain properties out of sight but still want quick access? Move them to the panel on the right. It’s ideal for less critical details.
Tabbed layout
Want a quick overview of linked databases without scrolling or switching between pages? Then the Tabbed layout might be the solution. This feature allows you to organise multiple views of a linked database (such as table, kanban, etc.) neatly into tabs. It helps you stay focused and maintain a clear overview.
How does it work?
Go to the page settings and choose Tabs. By default, you’ll see your current database view appear under the Content tab. Note: this can be confusing if you already have a linked database named ‘Content’.
Use the plus icon to add more linked databases as separate tabs. Once added, you can further customise each view – hide properties, change the order, set filters, and more.
Conclusion
For teams and entrepreneurs who use Notion extensively, these features mean less visual clutter and more focus. For newer users, it may take a little time to figure out where everything is.
At Wielson, we use Notion every day. With ‘Customise layout’, we only show the fields that truly matter. It brings clarity and focus. Want a more in-depth explanation? We highly recommend this video by Marie Poulin on YouTube.
We haven’t fully integrated ‘Tabbed layout’ yet, but we definitely see the potential. It’s especially useful for users who want quick access to context without having to navigate through multiple pages or databases.
Want to cancel or undo your changes? Just click Cancel or Revert to original layout via the Apply to all pages button.
Looking to make your Notion environment more professional and efficient? Or thinking about combining Notion with automation or no-code tools? We’re happy to help - feel free to get in touch!