How to Export Content from Notion for Use Outside the Platform

Notion is a powerful all-in-one Workspace that allows users to create, organize, and collaborate on various types of content. However, there may be instances when you need to export your Notion content for use outside the platform – whether it's for sharing with non-Notion users, archiving purposes, or integrating it with other tools. In this article, we will explore different methods to export your content from Notion and update you on current features and best practices.

Exporting Notion Pages as Markdown

Markdown is a lightweight markup language used for formatting text with simple syntax. It is widely supported by a variety of platforms and tools. Notion allows you to export your pages as markdown files, making it easier to transfer your content to other platforms. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the page you want to export in Notion.
2. Click on the ••• button in the top-right corner of the page.
3. Select Export from the dropdown menu, and then choose Markdown as the export format.
4. Notion will generate a markdown file (.md) and download it to your computer.

Once you have the markdown file, you can import your content into other tools like GitHub, Jekyll, Hugo, or any other platform that supports markdown. Note that if your page includes images or file attachments, Notion will also create a folder with those assets so you can maintain the complete structure of your page.

Exporting Notion Pages as PDF

If you prefer a more visually consistent and printer-friendly format, exporting your Notion pages as PDF files is an excellent choice. PDFs are widely accepted and can be easily shared or archived. To export a page as a PDF:

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 from the Markdown export method.
2. Choose PDF as the export format instead of Markdown.
3. Notion will convert your page into a PDF file and prompt you to save it on your computer.

The exported PDF retains much of the styling, formatting, and layout of your Notion page, making it ideal for presentations, client shares, or permanent records. For documents with complex layouts, review the PDF to ensure that all elements appear as intended.

Exporting Notion Databases

Notion databases are powerful tools for organizing and managing structured data. If you have a Notion database that you want to export, you can do so by following these steps:

1. Open the database you want to export.
2. Click on the ••• button at the top-right corner of the database.
3. Select Export from the dropdown menu, and then choose CSV as the export format.
4. Notion will generate a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file and download it to your computer.

The exported CSV file is compatible with spreadsheet software like Excel or Google Sheets. This allows you to analyze, sort, or manipulate the data outside Notion, making it easier to integrate with other data processing tools.

Exporting Notion Workspaces

Sometimes, you might want to export an entire Notion Workspace, including all its pages, databases, and content. While Notion does not currently provide a one-click solution to export the entire workspace at once, you can export your content piecemeal:

1. Export individual pages using the Markdown or PDF methods.
2. Export databases as CSV files.

After exporting the individual components, you can manually combine or recreate your workspace on another platform as needed. Notion is continuously evolving, so keep an eye on updates and community tips for new bulk export features or backup solutions that might emerge.

Summary

Notion provides several flexible options to export your content for use outside the platform:

• Markdown Export: Great for transferring text-based content along with linked assets.
• PDF Export: Ideal for retaining visual formatting and sharing professionally.
• CSV Export for Databases: Perfect for analyzing and manipulating structured data in external tools.
• Manual Workspace Export: Although a direct workspace export isn’t supported yet, you can recreate your workspace manually by exporting its components individually.

Whether you need to collaborate with users who don’t have Notion, back up your content, or integrate with other applications, exporting from Notion ensures that your valuable data remains accessible in multiple formats.