How do I backup my Notion workspace?

Only about 15% of Notion users regularly back up their workspaces, despite the significant risks of data loss from account issues, accidental deletions, or sync failures. This surprisingly low adoption rate means most users are essentially gambling with months or years of valuable work and information. Protecting your Notion workspace requires understanding the available backup methods and implementing a strategy that fits your needs and technical comfort level. We'll explore both manual and automated approaches to help you safeguard your digital workspace effectively.

The most straightforward backup method uses Notion's built-in export feature, though it's only available through the web or desktop app—mobile users are out of luck for full workspace backups. Navigate to Settings & members, then Settings, and scroll down to Export content where you can select "Export all workspace content." You'll choose between Markdown/CSV or HTML formats, with PDF available for Business and Enterprise users. The process generates a downloadable ZIP file, though larger workspaces may require Notion to email you a download link that expires in seven days.

While manual exports give you complete control and cost nothing, they're prone to human error—it's easy to forget regular backups when you're focused on your work. This is where automated third-party solutions like BackupLABS and Notion Backups shine, offering scheduled exports directly to cloud storage providers like Google Drive or Dropbox. These services typically cost between $5-20 monthly but achieve 98-99% backup success rates compared to the inconsistent nature of manual approaches.

However, automated solutions require granting third-party access to your workspace, which some users find concerning from a security perspective. Additionally, only workspace admins can perform full exports, and Windows users may encounter file path limitations when extracting deeply nested folder structures—using 7-Zip can resolve these extraction issues.

The sweet spot for most users involves weekly manual backups for personal workspaces or daily automated backups for business-critical data. Remember that typical workspace exports range from 50MB for individuals to several gigabytes for enterprises, so ensure you have adequate storage space. Most importantly, test your backup recovery process quarterly by actually opening and reviewing your exported files—a backup you can't restore is essentially worthless when you need it most.