How do I archive old Notion content?

Notion doesn't include a built-in "archive" button, but you can effectively preserve your old content through several straightforward methods that maintain organization while keeping important information accessible. The most practical approach involves creating dedicated archive spaces within your workspace, combined with strategic exporting for backup purposes. Understanding these techniques helps you maintain a clean, organized workspace without losing valuable historical content or risking accidental data loss.

The simplest method involves creating an "Archive" folder directly in your sidebar. Click the '+' button next to your workspace, name the new page "Archive" or something similar like "2024 Archive," and then move outdated pages by selecting them and choosing 'Move to' from the six-dot menu. You can also drag pages directly into your archive folder for quick organization. For database content, consider adding an "Archived" status property to existing databases, then use filters to hide archived entries from your main view while keeping them searchable.

Exporting provides an additional layer of protection for critical content. Access the three-dot menu on any page and select "Export" to download your content in formats like Markdown, HTML, or PDF. Databases export as ZIP files containing CSV data and associated files. This approach works well for compliance requirements or creating offline backups, though you should note that some formatting and block types may not transfer perfectly across different export formats.

While these manual methods offer flexibility, they do require ongoing maintenance and clear organization strategies. Large exports can take several minutes to process, and there's always a risk of missing linked content or subpages during bulk moves. The lack of automated archiving means you'll need to establish regular archive sessions and communicate with team members about retention policies to ensure consistency across your workspace.

Success with Notion archiving depends on developing consistent habits and clear organizational systems. Consider using metadata like tags and dates in your archive databases for easier retrieval, and perform occasional test exports to verify your backup strategy works effectively. By combining thoughtful manual organization with strategic exports, you can maintain both an organized active workspace and reliable access to your historical content when needed.