Creating a Custom Notion Dashboard: The Ultimate Guide

A well-designed Notion dashboard can transform how you manage your business operations. Think of it as your command center—a single page that displays your most important information at a glance. Whether you're tracking projects, monitoring KPIs, or organizing team resources, a custom dashboard brings everything together in one visually appealing, functional space.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through the step-by-step process of creating your own custom Notion dashboard. Plus, you'll discover pro tips to take your dashboard from basic to brilliant. Let's get started!

Why Create a Custom Dashboard in Notion?

Before diving into the how-to, let's quickly cover why a custom dashboard is worth your time:

• Centralized information - Access everything you need from one page
• Improved productivity - Reduce time spent searching for information
• Better decision-making - See all your key metrics at a glance
• Team alignment - Keep everyone on the same page with shared dashboards
• Customization - Design a workspace that fits your specific needs

When designed thoughtfully, your Notion dashboard becomes more than just a pretty interface—it becomes a powerful tool that drives your business forward.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Building Your Custom Notion Dashboard

Step 1: Plan Your Dashboard Structure

Before adding a single block to Notion, take time to plan. Ask yourself: What information do I need at my fingertips? Common dashboard elements include:

• Task lists and project trackers
• Calendar views and upcoming deadlines
• Key performance indicators
• Team directory and resources
• Quick links to important documents

Sketch your ideal layout on paper or use a simple wireframing tool. This planning stage is crucial for creating a dashboard that truly serves your needs.

Step 2: Create a New Page

Start with a blank canvas by creating a new page in Notion. To do this, click the "+" button in the sidebar or use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl/Cmd + N". Name your page something descriptive like "Business Dashboard" or "Command Center".

Step 3: Set Up Your Layout with Columns

Notion's column layout feature is perfect for dashboards. To create columns:

1. Type "/" to open the command menu
2. Search for "column" and select your preferred layout (two-column, three-column, etc.)
3. You can also create columns by dragging blocks side by side

For most dashboards, a combination of full-width sections and multi-column layouts works best. Full-width is ideal for headers and important information, while columns help organize related items side by side.

Step 4: Add Your Content Blocks

Now comes the fun part—adding content to your dashboard. Here are some essential blocks to consider:

Header Section

Start with an eye-catching header using a combination of:

• Cover image - Add visual appeal with a banner image
• Page icon - Choose an emoji or upload a custom icon
• Heading blocks - Create a clear title and subtitle

Database Views

Databases are the powerhouse of any Notion dashboard. Create linked views of your existing databases using:

1. Type "/" and select "Create linked database"
2. Choose the database you want to display
3. Select your preferred view (Table, Board, Calendar, List, Gallery)
4. Add filters to show only relevant information

Quick Links and Resources

Create a section with links to frequently accessed pages and resources:

• Use a simple bulleted list with page links
• Or create a gallery view with custom thumbnails for visual appeal

Step 5: Add Visual Elements and Widgets

Enhance your dashboard with visual elements to make it both functional and appealing:

• Embed widgets - Add Google Calendar, weather apps, or other tools
• Progress bars - Visualize project completion using formulas
• Charts - Create simple charts using symbols or embed advanced charts
• Dividers - Use divider blocks to separate different sections

Pro Tips for Notion Dashboard Excellence

Tip 1: Use Templates to Save Time

Why start from scratch when you can leverage professionally designed templates? The Notion Templates Library from Landmark Labs offers a variety of dashboard templates specifically designed for businesses. These templates provide a solid foundation that you can customize to your needs.

Tip 2: Create a Visual Hierarchy

Not all information is equally important. Use visual hierarchy to guide the eye:

• Place critical information at the top
• Use larger text and bold formatting for important headers
• Add color coding to distinguish between different types of information
• Use callout blocks to highlight essential notes or reminders

Tip 3: Implement Toggle Blocks for Clean Organization

Keep your dashboard clean by using toggle blocks for information that doesn't need to be visible all the time. This creates an expandable/collapsible section that helps manage visual clutter while keeping information accessible.

Tip 4: Use Formulas for Dynamic Content

Notion's formula property can create dynamic elements in your dashboard:

• Countdown timers to important dates
• Automatic status updates based on conditions
• Progress calculations that update in real-time

Tip 5: Create a Mobile-Friendly Layout

Remember that you might access your dashboard from mobile devices. Test your layout on different screen sizes and adjust as needed. Generally, using more full-width sections and fewer columns works better for mobile viewing.

Take Your Business to the Next Level with Advanced Notion Systems

While a custom dashboard is a great start, growing businesses often nee