Can you create custom page templates in Notion?

Yes, you can absolutely create custom page templates in Notion, and it's one of the platform's most powerful productivity features. Custom templates are user-defined blueprints that allow you to rapidly create new pages with pre-set structure, content, and formatting. Whether you need a simple meeting notes template or a complex project dashboard with databases and relational properties, Notion's flexible system supports virtually any workflow you can imagine.

Creating custom templates is surprisingly straightforward. For standalone pages, you simply build your desired structure using any combination of Notion's blocks—headings, tables, databases, embeds, or callouts—then save it for duplication. However, database templates offer the most versatility for recurring workflows. To create one, open your database, click the dropdown arrow next to the "New" button, and select "New template." You can then customize the content, add properties like tags or assignments, and design the layout exactly as you need it. When you're ready to use the template, simply select it when creating new database entries.

The benefits are substantial for both individuals and teams. Templates ensure consistency across your workspace, dramatically reduce setup time for recurring tasks, and help standardize workflows. Community adoption reflects this value—top templates in Notion's public gallery have been duplicated over 20,000 times, demonstrating widespread utility across different use cases from project management to content planning.

There are some limitations to consider, though. Database template properties filled during creation remain static, meaning every new use copies identical values unless you leave fields blank for manual completion. Additionally, modifications to existing templates won't retroactively update pages you've already created from those templates, which can create maintenance challenges for teams. Template buttons, while useful for inserting reusable blocks, only work within the specific page where they're created.

Despite these constraints, custom templates remain one of Notion's most accessible and impactful features. Any user with edit rights can create, refine, and deploy templates across their workspace, making it an excellent tool for scaling both personal productivity and team collaboration. The key is starting simple and gradually building more sophisticated templates as your needs evolve.