Same! Also, I remember reading your guide to Evernote tagging back in the day - are you still using that? What parts of your workflow are you running in Notion?
niice. I was just facing an issue not being able to sync databases. This is great. Edit: thanks for the bit at the end with dragging the simple table into the synced block. Realized I could have just done this with the old table but simple tables should be easier to use
Wow, I have been wanting to do simple tables instead of databases for everything. I didn't see this new feature yet. Thanks. I do wish I could create other blocks inside a cell. Hopefully that will come in time.
Thank you Thomas for quickly binging this to notice, your videos are great as always. If you don't mind and can spare a little time, could you please compare Bulletproof Workspace Vs. Ultimate Tasks. Actually I am a little bit confused which one to go with. Your clear, candid & frank (as Frank as you are) answer will really help me in taking the step forward.
Great vid! As a new Notion user, you quickly helped me understand the context and organization of "simple" tables. Perhaps it's been upgraded, but I was able to easily port (copy/paste) data from an existing table from another platform w/out having to resort to flipping back and forth between database and table. My question: Can simple tables in Notion merge cells? Like-for example, have data text run across several columns w/in its row. I'm guessing not, but it'd be great if you have a hack or a solution for this. And I definitely subscribed. 🙏
I'm VASTLY more experienced with Notion, so I don't have a very useful opinion here - but I did actually try to adapt Airtable to my production pipeline's needs a couple years ago and found that I couldn't make it do the same things Notion can. I do think it has more native integrations though, for what that's worth! Each tool has different strengths
Suppose I have created a table with customized columns, and I want to duplicate it on a new page. However, when I make changes to the new table, the original table also gets modified automatically. Can you suggest a solution where I can copy the table to a new page, but any changes made to the new table will not affect the original one?
That'd be pretty cool to see! Not sure how soon we'll see it, since they're trying to keep the ability for tables to turn into databases and vice-versa.
So tables are for adding up information in the far right column or the bottom row? If we don't need to add up information then we should use a different view instead? Or is that a spreadsheet I'm thinking of?
Hey, I hope you see this, first of all thank you for all the effort either on this channel or the other one, I'm a big fan but pleeease make a formula Tutorial ASAP I'm too excited about it, and I believe you'll be the best to explain it, thanks.
That’s coming soon! After I finish Notion Fundamentals I’ll be moving onto Learn Notion Databases. Those videos will also be free and on this channel. (In fact one is already live: ua-cam.com/video/U9tdWi0pCN4/v-deo.html)
Or merger / divide a select group of rows or columns… Something Evernote (and OG Excel) can do in its sleep. Great to see Simple Tables, either way. 👍🏼👍🏼
It’d be nice to see, but it’s challenging to accomplish while allowing tables to be turned into databases and vice versa. Evernote and Excel don’t have that requirement so it’s much easier for them.
Hi Thomas, I have a question: is there any way to do (simpler) excel calculations in Notion? Is the simple table also good for putting in numbers? I‘ve been wanting to embed an existing Excel table into Notion, but could never figure it out. Thanks a lot, great video! :)
You can sooooort of do them using a Formula property, but not across a range. And with Google cribbing Notion features and putting them into their own products, I feel like we're not going to get the ability to embed a Sheet inside Notion anytime soon. Perhaps we'll get more excel-like functions in databases in the future!
Equations for simple tables would be great. I suppose you can turn it into a database then convert to simple table but you probably loose functionality once you transition back
"Tom's favorite games" - I totally approve! I still haven't beaten some of the Celeste B-sides lol 😂 and still waiting for Overwatch 2. At least Notion's simple tables will keep my attention in the meantime, another feature I've been waiting for!
HI - How can i format a simple table so i can download it as a pdf and print it out - and have it fit - but fill - the page?? id even like to make the rows smaller so i can fit a few more on a page!
I created a database table for tasks. It's actually a Notion template. The "title" property, which I'm using to enter the task, doesn't have the Wrap Text toggle option. Is there a reason why that's not an option for the title column?
The convert to simple table option seems to only work for inline databases and not full-page ones. To use the conversion trick one would have to convert the full page db to an inline db first, then convert the inline to a simple table. Converting the full page db wasn't possible if it was at the root level. I had to drag the full db onto another page and then I could convert it to inline and then convert it to simple table. Have you found a shorter route? Also, it seems to truncate the db into only the first four columns when converting to simple table. Be aware.
Thank you for the speedy update! Unfortunately it seems the simple table function is not available in mobile notion (Android for myself) and the content in the simple table is invisible =( any ideas on this? Thanks!!
Hmm - I was told that it's been turned on for all users, and they didn't specify platforms. Have you tried quitting and restarting the app, or checking for an update? Unfortunately I don't have an Android device to test.
@@ThomasFrankExplains thanks! Able to see the updated features just then after a few hours from notion! Thanks again Thomas and looking forward to more of your prompt update video and tutorials on notion!
That video is on my list, but it's already a feature in Creator's Companion, and there's a tutorial in the included support community showing exactly how I use it! Also goes through some keyword research strategy using Ahrefs. thomasjfrank.com/creators-companion/
As I followed the same steps trying to find the turn into database option, it didn't show that option to me, anywhere. Did anyone else noticed that's not available as well? Why could that be?
@@ThomasFrankExplains I'm on Windows 10 desktop, but now I found out why it wasn't showing me that option before, it's because the simple table was inside a column, once I took it out of the column the turn into database option was there. Either way, thanks for your reply!
is it possible to do some simple math in this table or something else? like excel? for example, i would like to organize my paid subscriptions and see the total amount i'm spenting without have to sum everything
You can do that in a database! At the bottom of the table, you'll find a Sum function for number properties. You don't even need to write a sum formulate like you would in Excel.
Thomas... May I know how am I able to create multiple row within a row in a table? For example, my 1st column is titled "Activity" and the data at the 1st row is "Camping". My second column is "When" and it is date formatted. Say I have completed 3 camping on 1st Apr, 1st May and 2st Jun and I want to create 3 rows inside the column "When" for this row called "Camping". How am I able to do that?
Thanks for making this video so quickly. Not sure if this will be a useful feature to me, and predict I may be annoyed that I can no long use slash table enter to make an inline table database quickly.
Protip - type "ti" for an inline table, and "ts" for a table of contents! I don't think there's a shortcode for full-page tables, but the option is right under inline tables.
@@ThomasFrankExplains hmm, I have to type "/d" for the inline table database and "/f" for the full table database for either to be listed first. If I type "ti" get the timeline option listed first. But honestly, I didn't think of doing it this way before. I was just using "/table" and choosing them the long way. I like this method better.
I've fiddled around with the feature and it looks like you can't convert table databases to simple tables if any of your columns have these property types: 1. Files & media 2. Checkbox 3. Any of the Advanced property types Luckily you just need to convert these columns to Text.
I'm sure we'll get it eventually! For managing overwhelm, I think the main thing is to not be so perfectionist about it. Don't be afraid to use other people's templates or organizational philosophies, to which you can make your own tweaks.
From the comments it seems popular, but why? What can you do with a "simple table" you can't do with a database table? Other than drag the corner to make more rows and columns.
The main benefit for me is being able to create a table without the primary "Name" property, which can't be hidden in database views. That property doesn't accept rich text formatting, so if you have a use case that doesn't require it, it's just sitting in the way.
@@ThomasFrankExplains you’re right about the “Name” property but i was hoping Notion would work on this issue within the database table. I still find the simple table quite useless honestly.
I feel like the main point of simple tables was missed...which was to be able to copy and paste simple tables from outside of notion into notion and vice versa when a database functionality was not needed. If I want to put a table from a website into my notes and have it look the same, the best way is to paste an image...but then you lose all copy paste functionality. I'm assuming there must be some kind of incompatibility with html and Excel formats that prevents easy encororporation into notion blocks...
How i wish, the 'simple table' can have the ability to merge/split cells which make it even more useful for us. Unfortunately, this 'simple table' is coupled to database. So nope, we won't have merge/split cells capability, at least not within the near future.
It doesn't, but it's worth noting that text content inside database Text properties doesn't either. From what I can tell, global search only catalogues page titles and text block content; it ignores the contents of database properties. I actually didn't know this before, so thanks for asking the question! I've reported it to the Notion team so they're aware.
Notion has never been so SIMPLE. I really wanted something like this and I'm so happy they finally added something like this
Never rushed before to watch a video... Truly appreciated... Concise, precise and ... fast... Awesome!
Keep the awesome work TJF...
I literally just requested this in a message to Notion last week. I’m so glad to see it.
Same! Also, I remember reading your guide to Evernote tagging back in the day - are you still using that? What parts of your workflow are you running in Notion?
I've never been so excited about a table!!! I was literally googling this over the weekend!
THIS IS HUGE! I've been wanting something like this for ages. Great video!
I’ve been waiting for years!! I’m glad this is finally here.
niice. I was just facing an issue not being able to sync databases. This is great.
Edit: thanks for the bit at the end with dragging the simple table into the synced block. Realized I could have just done this with the old table but simple tables should be easier to use
what a set in the intro !
And love that you keep videos of notion updates
You are incredibly inspiring and professional, thanks for all the tutorials.
Thank you!! Much appreciated, Thomas.
This is awesome, I've been waiting for this for a long time
im thrilled when i see it in /menu, i know many people has been yearning for it for a long time
Thank you dear Frank, finally good news ♥, and i really liked your explanation, it became very straightforward and enhanced.
When I saw the news I was literally like 'Thomas Frank is going to be SO HAPPY!'
Always that Frank public a New video on this channel...im so excited for see all that new features of Notice great video Thomas!
Thank you for this easy to understand explanation. You have saved me a lot of time.
Thanks, Thomas. I’ll be checking out your free course. You’ve got my sub. 👍
Wow, I have been wanting to do simple tables instead of databases for everything. I didn't see this new feature yet. Thanks. I do wish I could create other blocks inside a cell. Hopefully that will come in time.
do you know if it's possible to make a numbered list or formatted bulletpoints within a cell? Thanks!
Thank you for sharing this tutorial!
Thank you Thomas for quickly binging this to notice, your videos are great as always. If you don't mind and can spare a little time, could you please compare Bulletproof Workspace Vs. Ultimate Tasks. Actually I am a little bit confused which one to go with. Your clear, candid & frank (as Frank as you are) answer will really help me in taking the step forward.
Finally, it actually made my day 🙏🙏
Thanks for the succinct overview of simple tables :-)
This was definitely helpful! I will be trying it out with some ideas I have.
Finally. This is great
This has been informative.
They could also add option like bullet list , number list etc which are avialabel in evernote.
My favorite Notion feature is: they really hear the customers! 😍💕
Great vid! As a new Notion user, you quickly helped me understand the context and organization of "simple" tables. Perhaps it's been upgraded, but I was able to easily port (copy/paste) data from an existing table from another platform w/out having to resort to flipping back and forth between database and table. My question: Can simple tables in Notion merge cells? Like-for example, have data text run across several columns w/in its row. I'm guessing not, but it'd be great if you have a hack or a solution for this.
And I definitely subscribed. 🙏
What do you think about Airtable vs Notion?
I'm VASTLY more experienced with Notion, so I don't have a very useful opinion here - but I did actually try to adapt Airtable to my production pipeline's needs a couple years ago and found that I couldn't make it do the same things Notion can. I do think it has more native integrations though, for what that's worth! Each tool has different strengths
@@ThomasFrankExplains Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Real helping video... do u have any video on mind mapping & apps for it?
Hey Frank, can we add images to simple tables! Currently going crazy trying to do this
Suppose I have created a table with customized columns, and I want to duplicate it on a new page. However, when I make changes to the new table, the original table also gets modified automatically. Can you suggest a solution where I can copy the table to a new page, but any changes made to the new table will not affect the original one?
The same problem！
A productivity buff, a gamer and a guitarist? We must be brothers
Thank you. A little bit too speedy, but I can watch it again. Great job in presenting it, will have great potential for what I want to get done.
Finally.... I emailed Notion for this feature, and so happy to hear this... But I still wait for the merge cell feature..
That'd be pretty cool to see! Not sure how soon we'll see it, since they're trying to keep the ability for tables to turn into databases and vice-versa.
So tables are for adding up information in the far right column or the bottom row? If we don't need to add up information then we should use a different view instead? Or is that a spreadsheet I'm thinking of?
thank you!
Hey, I hope you see this,
first of all thank you for all the effort either on this channel or the other one, I'm a big fan but pleeease make a formula Tutorial ASAP I'm too excited about it, and I believe you'll be the best to explain it, thanks.
That’s coming soon! After I finish Notion Fundamentals I’ll be moving onto Learn Notion Databases. Those videos will also be free and on this channel. (In fact one is already live: ua-cam.com/video/U9tdWi0pCN4/v-deo.html)
@@ThomasFrankExplains Thanks a lot!!! You're the BEST as usual.
Oh yeah, finally \o/
Can you please build out a knowledge center for articles, notes, website links and all in one place ?
Are we able to merge cells? Or is that another limitation..? I can't seem to figure out how to do it.
Is it possible to make a numbered list or bullet-points within a cell? Thanks
Or merger / divide a select group of rows or columns…
Something Evernote (and OG Excel) can do in its sleep.
Great to see Simple Tables, either way. 👍🏼👍🏼
It’d be nice to see, but it’s challenging to accomplish while allowing tables to be turned into databases and vice versa. Evernote and Excel don’t have that requirement so it’s much easier for them.
Hi Thomas, I have a question: is there any way to do (simpler) excel calculations in Notion? Is the simple table also good for putting in numbers? I‘ve been wanting to embed an existing Excel table into Notion, but could never figure it out. Thanks a lot, great video! :)
You can sooooort of do them using a Formula property, but not across a range. And with Google cribbing Notion features and putting them into their own products, I feel like we're not going to get the ability to embed a Sheet inside Notion anytime soon. Perhaps we'll get more excel-like functions in databases in the future!
Awesome per usual, is it possible to merge cells? i haven't been able find out how to do it.
Unfortunately no - simple tables are a true grid, and not an Excel clone. You'd probably still need to use Excel/Sheets for that kind of thing.
YES!
thanks bro
Equations for simple tables would be great. I suppose you can turn it into a database then convert to simple table but you probably loose functionality once you transition back
Do you have a template for students? thanks!
"Tom's favorite games" - I totally approve! I still haven't beaten some of the Celeste B-sides lol 😂 and still waiting for Overwatch 2. At least Notion's simple tables will keep my attention in the meantime, another feature I've been waiting for!
HI - How can i format a simple table so i can download it as a pdf and print it out - and have it fit - but fill - the page?? id even like to make the rows smaller so i can fit a few more on a page!
YES
I created a database table for tasks. It's actually a Notion template. The "title" property, which I'm using to enter the task, doesn't have the Wrap Text toggle option. Is there a reason why that's not an option for the title column?
It's a weird oversight, but you can set the entire view to Wrap Table Cells in order to get it to wrap.
The convert to simple table option seems to only work for inline databases and not full-page ones. To use the conversion trick one would have to convert the full page db to an inline db first, then convert the inline to a simple table. Converting the full page db wasn't possible if it was at the root level. I had to drag the full db onto another page and then I could convert it to inline and then convert it to simple table. Have you found a shorter route? Also, it seems to truncate the db into only the first four columns when converting to simple table. Be aware.
i cant add colums and rows there is no option what to do?
Unable to see the simple tables on iPad Os and iOS. Any idea why?
This is a feature that I really missed
Thank you for the speedy update! Unfortunately it seems the simple table function is not available in mobile notion (Android for myself) and the content in the simple table is invisible =( any ideas on this? Thanks!!
Hmm - I was told that it's been turned on for all users, and they didn't specify platforms. Have you tried quitting and restarting the app, or checking for an update? Unfortunately I don't have an Android device to test.
@@ThomasFrankExplains thanks! Able to see the updated features just then after a few hours from notion! Thanks again Thomas and looking forward to more of your prompt update video and tutorials on notion!
I am not getting turn into database option and that's why i am not able to use text formatting in table format
Please Help!
Thomas senpai! when are you gonna show us how to use notion as a SEO and Keyword tracker for small businesses
That video is on my list, but it's already a feature in Creator's Companion, and there's a tutorial in the included support community showing exactly how I use it! Also goes through some keyword research strategy using Ahrefs. thomasjfrank.com/creators-companion/
3:29 "mention page" didt shown in trial
TABLES!!!!!!! 😁🎉
Can You do summations and substations tho?
I'm not sure what a substation is, but these tables can't do math operations. They're truly simple tables, not spreadsheets.
Hi how do you write text under the table?
Finallyyy
Can you add images to a cell?
As I followed the same steps trying to find the turn into database option, it didn't show that option to me, anywhere. Did anyone else noticed that's not available as well? Why could that be?
What platform are you using? I just tested on MacOS desktop: i.imgur.com/ieBCe3U.png
@@ThomasFrankExplains I'm on Windows 10 desktop, but now I found out why it wasn't showing me that option before, it's because the simple table was inside a column, once I took it out of the column the turn into database option was there. Either way, thanks for your reply!
is it possible to do some simple math in this table or something else? like excel?
for example, i would like to organize my paid subscriptions and see the total amount i'm spenting without have to sum everything
You can do that in a database! At the bottom of the table, you'll find a Sum function for number properties. You don't even need to write a sum formulate like you would in Excel.
@@ThomasFrankExplains thank you
Can we merge cells in a simple table? I couldn't find it anywhere
Unfortunately no
How can we create a header title in the first row and above let’s say 3 columns?
Unfortunately you can't merge cells in a simple table
@@ThomasFrankExplains so only by inputting a table from a word document should work?
Thomas... May I know how am I able to create multiple row within a row in a table? For example, my 1st column is titled "Activity" and the data at the 1st row is "Camping". My second column is "When" and it is date formatted. Say I have completed 3 camping on 1st Apr, 1st May and 2st Jun and I want to create 3 rows inside the column "When" for this row called "Camping". How am I able to do that?
Notion sucks at very basic task even idk how to do that
How to merge cells or columns?
Fantastic new feature, together with grouping, makes me play my slide guitar less these days...
I need to put some images in one column, I try. Is it possible?
Not right now, but you can use a database and create a file/attachment property for images.
Thanks for making this video so quickly. Not sure if this will be a useful feature to me, and predict I may be annoyed that I can no long use slash table enter to make an inline table database quickly.
Protip - type "ti" for an inline table, and "ts" for a table of contents! I don't think there's a shortcode for full-page tables, but the option is right under inline tables.
@@ThomasFrankExplains hmm, I have to type "/d" for the inline table database and "/f" for the full table database for either to be listed first.
If I type "ti" get the timeline option listed first.
But honestly, I didn't think of doing it this way before. I was just using "/table" and choosing them the long way. I like this method better.
Interesting! Maybe it's platform-specific, or even region-specific? I actually didn't know about /d and /f, so thanks!
@@ThomasFrankExplains that is a possibility. I didn't think of that.
@@ANerdyNotioneer Thanks, using /d gets me the inline table database that I want.
Before watching:
-Well, as you said it’s just a simpe table Thomas.
After watching:
-This guy doesn’t make a video for simple things.
4:48 this really sucks! Can't believe there's still no option for selecting multiple rows.
Merger cell on table?
Por fin :D
very nice but .. how can it be useful? I've thought about it but I can't think of a single aspect of my workspace where this new feature can be useful
Tables are for things that don't need databases, *proceeds to turn the table into a database.
Can i put a picture in the table?
Unfortunately not yet! Hopefully in the future
I've fiddled around with the feature and it looks like you can't convert table databases to simple tables if any of your columns have these property types:
1. Files & media
2. Checkbox
3. Any of the Advanced property types
Luckily you just need to convert these columns to Text.
Correct - and there are a few other things that will prevent conversion as well. I’ve added those to the companion article!
Unfortunately, after using Craft, I still cannot find a reason to use Notion, even after watching this. Craft is much simpler and BEAUTIFUL
Unfortunately it's limited to Apple platform for mobile.
The only thing that is left now is to add an option to convert database tables to these simple tables
It sucks that you can't use the checkmark as a todo list in the simple table.
Question: How do you not get overwhelmed with Notion?
I'm sure we'll get it eventually! For managing overwhelm, I think the main thing is to not be so perfectionist about it. Don't be afraid to use other people's templates or organizational philosophies, to which you can make your own tweaks.
From the comments it seems popular, but why? What can you do with a "simple table" you can't do with a database table? Other than drag the corner to make more rows and columns.
The main benefit for me is being able to create a table without the primary "Name" property, which can't be hidden in database views. That property doesn't accept rich text formatting, so if you have a use case that doesn't require it, it's just sitting in the way.
@@ThomasFrankExplains you’re right about the “Name” property but i was hoping Notion would work on this issue within the database table. I still find the simple table quite useless honestly.
I feel like the main point of simple tables was missed...which was to be able to copy and paste simple tables from outside of notion into notion and vice versa when a database functionality was not needed. If I want to put a table from a website into my notes and have it look the same, the best way is to paste an image...but then you lose all copy paste functionality. I'm assuming there must be some kind of incompatibility with html and Excel formats that prevents easy encororporation into notion blocks...
How i wish, the 'simple table' can have the ability to merge/split cells which make it even more useful for us. Unfortunately, this 'simple table' is coupled to database. So nope, we won't have merge/split cells capability, at least not within the near future.
the day before yesterday I tried to create a simple table and couldn't. I was 24 hours too early
It’s nice, but honestly except for the rich text, i don’t see why i should use the Simple Table rather than the Database Table.
Merging Cells in a table
How does the global search work with simple tables?
It doesn't, but it's worth noting that text content inside database Text properties doesn't either. From what I can tell, global search only catalogues page titles and text block content; it ignores the contents of database properties.
I actually didn't know this before, so thanks for asking the question! I've reported it to the Notion team so they're aware.
Oh my God
Finally. Took way too long. Way, way, too long to implement
Thank God. Hopefully people will shut up about it now
how to merge cells in table?