How to add icons within Notion Text

Icons can enhance the visual appeal and organization of your content in Notion. With options to add icons directly within your text, you can create engaging and informative notes, documents, and task lists. This article explores the different methods you can use to add icons within Notion text, along with current best practices using the latest Notion features.

Method 1: Using Emoji Shortcodes

Notion supports emojis directly within text. By typing a colon (:) followed by the emoji name, you can quickly insert an emoji. Here's how to do it:

1. Open Notion and navigate to the page where you want to add an icon.
2. Click on the text block or create a new one by typing /text.
3. Type a colon (:) followed by the name of the emoji. For example, type :thumbsup: to add a thumbs-up emoji. Notion will display suggestions as you type.
4. Press Enter or Space to transform the shortcode into the emoji.

Example:
This is an example of how to add a :thumbsup: emoji within Notion text.

Method 2: Using External Icon Sources

In addition to emojis, you can use external icon libraries to enrich your text. While Notion’s text blocks do not support HTML for icons, you can incorporate icons from sources such as Font Awesome or Material Icons by uploading image files or embedding them in your pages. Follow these steps for a smooth workflow:

1. Visit the icon source website.
2. Search for and select the icon you want.
3. Download the icon image or copy its embed link.
4. In Notion, insert the image by dragging it into your page or by typing /image to add it.

Example (using an image link from Font Awesome):
This is an example of how to add a Font Awesome checkmark icon within Notion text by uploading the image:
Font Awesome Checkmark

Note: Uploading icons as images ensures they display properly, as direct insertion of HTML code (e.g., <i class="fas fa-check"></i>) is not supported in Notion text blocks.

Method 3: Using Notion's Built-in Icon Library

Notion continually updates its built-in icon library, making it easy to insert icons directly into your text. Here’s how to use this feature:

1. Open Notion and navigate to the page where you want to add an icon.
2. Click on the text block or create a new one.
3. Place your cursor where you want the icon.
4. Type a forward slash (/) followed by the name of the icon you want. Notion will display suggestions based on your input.
5. Use the arrow keys to select the desired icon and press Enter to insert it.

Example:
This is an example of how to add a checkmark icon using Notion's built-in icon library by typing /check.

Conclusion

Adding icons within Notion text can significantly improve the visual clarity and overall appeal of your pages. Whether you use emoji shortcodes, external icon sources (via image uploads), or Notion's built-in icon library, each method offers a unique way to enhance your content. Experiment with different icons to best suit your style and workflow, making your Notion pages both functional and visually appealing.