How to Import CSV into Notion - Centralize Databases

Table of contents

• 1. Create a new Notion page and access page settings
• 2. Select the ‘CSV’ option
• 3. Choose the CSV file to import
• 4. Map CSV headers to Notion and set property types
• 5. Access CSV within Notion
• Here’s why your CSV import into Notion failed
• 1. CSV formatting issues
• 2. Unsupported characters or encoding
• 3. File size or row limits
• 4. Mismatched headers
• 5. Property type conflicts
• Benefits of Importing CSV into Notion
• Centralize scattered data
• Turn static spreadsheets into dynamic databases
• Collaborate in real time
• Keep your data flexible
• Scale without starting from scratch

Let’s discuss the steps in detail:

1. Create a new Notion page and access page settings

There are many ways to access the ‘Import’ options. In our example, we will explore how to access it through a new page.

Start by creating a new Notion page and clicking the three-dots icon at the bottom.

Next, click the ‘Import’ option to access the ‘Import’ settings.

2. Select the ‘CSV’ option

The settings screen will display multiple file types that Notion supports. Click the ‘CSV’ option.

3. Choose the CSV file to import

Click on the ‘Choose file’ button next. This will open your local drive.

Select the CSV file that you want to import and click on ‘Open’. With this, your CSV file should have successfully loaded into Notion.

Click on the ‘Map CSV Headers’ button to access the new screen where you can edit the database properties.

4. Map CSV headers to Notion and set property types

In the new screen, you will find a toggle switch that is turned on by default, asking Notion to use the first row in your CSV file as headers.

You can turn it off and set custom headers for your database.

You can also edit the property type for each column. Once that is done, click the ‘Import CSV’ button to finish the process.

5. Access CSV within Notion

Notion places your newly imported CSV file into a new page in your ‘Private’ workspace by default. Access it from there and treat it like any other database.

Here’s why your CSV import into Notion failed

Here are some troubleshooting tips for when your CSV import into Notion fails:

1. CSV formatting issues

CSV files are sensitive to commas, quotation marks, and delimiters. If your file has stray commas, missing quotes, or irregular separators, Notion may misread the structure.

How to fix it:

• Open your CSV in a text editor and look for inconsistent commas or unclosed quotes
• Export the file again from Excel/Google Sheets to ensure consistent formatting
• Use a validator tool to check for structural errors before re-uploading

2. Unsupported characters or encoding

Notion expects CSVs to be encoded in UTF-8. If the file is saved in ANSI or another encoding, special characters (like é, ü, ₹, or emojis) may cause the import to fail.

How to fix it:

• When saving in Excel or Google Sheets, explicitly choose UTF-8 CSV
• In a text editor, use the “Save with Encoding” option and select UTF-8

3. File size or row limits

Extremely large CSV files, containing tens of thousands of rows or dozens of columns, can time out or fail during upload.

How to fix it:

• Split your CSV into smaller chunks
• Import them separately, then merge the databases inside Notion

4. Mismatched headers

If your CSV has blank column names, duplicate headers, or misaligned fields, Notion won’t know how to map them into properties.

How to fix it:

• Make sure every column in your CSV has a unique header and rename blank headers
• Double-check that your first row is indeed the header row, not data

5. Property type conflicts

Notion properties expect a consistent data type (e.g., text, number, date). If your CSV mixes types in the same column (like a column with both numbers and words), Notion may fail or misinterpret the values.

How to fix it:

• Clean your data before export - ensure each column contains only one type of data
• After import, adjust Notion property types manually if needed

Benefits of Importing CSV into Notion

Centralize scattered data

If your information is spread across multiple spreadsheets, drives, or exports, importing them into Notion helps you consolidate everything into a single workspace. No more switching between tools just to find the right file. In fact, you can merge your databases with imported CSVs, ensuring seamless transfer of data.

Turn static spreadsheets into dynamic databases

A CSV is essentially a snapshot of your data. In Notion, that same file turns into a flexible database that you can interact with. You can filter leads by status, add subtasks, group tasks by priority, or visualize dates on a calendar.

Collaborate in real time

Spreadsheets often get messy when shared - duplicates appear, versions conflict, and updates slip through the cracks. Once your CSV is inside Notion, everyone works from the same live database. You can assign items, add comments, and see changes as they happen, without worrying about file management.

Keep your data flexible

Imported databases don’t have to stand alone. You can connect them to other pages in Notion - link your customer list to a sales dashboard, or connect an inventory sheet to product pages. This turns static data into part of a larger, interconnected system that grows with your needs.

Scale without starting from scratch

Importing CSVs is the fastest way to get value out of Notion from day one. Whether you’re moving thousands of records or just a few dozen, you don’t need to rebuild everything manually. The data you already have becomes the foundation you can build workflows, automations, and dashboards - on top of saving hours of setup.

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