Special blocks

Beyond paragraphs, headings, and lists, the notes editor offers special blocks that structure content in richer ways: colored callouts to highlight passages, collapsible sections to hide details, tabs to switch between content in the same space, and a column layout to place blocks side by side. This page explains how to insert them, how to move and transform them via the block handle, and what each type does.

How to insert a block

There are two ways to add a special block at the point where you are writing. The insert menu is organized into sections — "Style" (paragraph, headings, lists, quote, code) and "Insert" (everything else) — and can be filtered by typing the block name.

1. 1Place the cursor where the block should go.
2. 2Type "/" to open the insert menu — or click the "+" button that appears to the left of the block, next to the handle.
3. 3Start typing the block name (for example "Callout" or "Tabs") to filter the list.
4. 4Pick the block you want to insert it into the note.

The block handle

To the left of each block, two buttons appear when you hover over it: the "+" (insert menu) and the handle — the icon with the little vertical dots. The handle both repositions the block and gives access to its options.

1. 1To move the block: click and hold the handle and drag it to the new position.
2. 2To open the options: click the handle without dragging.
3. 3In the menu, use "Turn into" to convert the block into another type, "Duplicate", "Copy", "Move up" / "Move down", or "Delete".

• "Turn into" converts between paragraph, headings, lists, quote and code block, preserving the content.
• On a checklist item, the menu also offers "Create task" — it sends the item to the Tasks module.
• On an image, the menu offers "Download image"; on a table, "Clear all content".
• "Clear formatting" removes the inline styles of the whole block.

Block types

Each special block has a different purpose. Below, the names exactly as they appear in the insert menu.

Callout

A highlighted box that draws attention to a passage. There are seven variants — Info, Tip, Warning, Important, Success, Note and Quote — each with its own color and style.

Toggle (collapsible)

Hides or shows content under a clickable heading. Good for tucking away long details and keeping the note lean, expanding only when needed.

Tabs

Gathers several pieces of content in the same space, in separate tabs. The reader switches between tabs and sees one at a time.

Horizontal line

A simple divider that visually separates sections of the note.

Columns: drag to the side

To lay blocks out side by side, you don't insert a "columns block" — you create columns by dragging, Notion style:

1. 1Grab a block by its handle and drag it toward the left or right edge of another block.
2. 2A vertical guide appears showing where the column will be created; drop to place the two blocks side by side.
3. 3Repeat to add more columns — up to four, all with equal widths.
4. 4To undo, drag the block out of the column; a column left empty is removed automatically.

Right-click menu

Right-clicking on the content opens a context menu with quick text actions.

• "Search Google" for the selected text.
• "Cut", "Copy" and "Paste".
• "Paste without formatting", discarding the source styles.