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Spells for Systems

A small tweak with a big impact πŸͺ„ Spells for Systems ✨ Issue # 14

Published 2 months agoΒ β€’Β 3 min read

A small tweak with a big impact

One of the things I love the most about Notion is when they do what looks like a small tweak, but it has a big impact because it simplifies things.

I'm talking about this week's update where the number of decimals shown for numbers can now be determined without being a master of formulas.

This week's stand-out theme

This week's update (decimals), and a few of this week's videos highlight what I think is one of the strengths of Notion, yet a frustration for new users.

Here and there, Notion releases what looks like a *simple* update. Things like, a new currency to the numbers, colours for buttons, adding URL links, etc. These little changes are often things that speed up processes.

For example, this week's update means I don't have to figure out a formula, and sometimes even add an extra property to a database to then calculate an abbreviated number of an existing Numbers property (are you still following me?), just to get a nice rounded number.

The problem with the releases is that sometimes, you might've built a template (or a workspace) using these workarounds that suddenly are unnecessary.

So, what should you do next?

Find all instances of your workspace and fix them to make the most of the new feature? Or leave them be and make the most of the new feature as you work on new pages or dashbaords?

Here's my plan (and feel free to steal it if it works for you):

1) Make a list of all the features I think I need to implement in my workspace.

2) Prioritise them (my free Magic Priorities Template helps me do that)

3) Identify the most used and important parts of my workspace where this change would help.

4) Do the work and then move down your list of priorities.

To make sure I don't spend all my time tweaking my workspace, I also limit my "Notion workspace improvements" to a single afternoon. And weekends if I feel like it and have the time. Otherwise, it would be too easy to spend more time working on the workspace than doing my actual work (which is building templates and workspace for others).

What about you? How do you make sure these new updates help you make the most of Notion, without spending all your time working into your workspace? Hit reply and let me know.

πŸ“° Official Notion News

You used to need to tweak formulas to get a specific number of decimals if your output was a number. It's super tricky when your real result is a number with a gazillion decimals.

This new feature allows you to pick the decimals straight in the numbers or formula properties.

Also new this week is the ability to use Passkeys (an alternative to using passwords).

On the blog

πŸ“Ή YouTube videos worth watching

πŸŽ™οΈ Podcasts to listen to

I listen to podcasts when I go on long walks. My partner listens while doing chores around the house. What about you?

Popular Reddit threads

Articles elsewhere

Events​

Do you want me to mention your Notion-related video, blog post, event or podcast? Send it here.​

Do you have any feedback about Spells for Systems? Tell me here.​

Until next week!

Marie-Pier Rochon

Notion Creator & Ambassador

πŸ§™πŸ»β€β™€οΈ Your Friendly Systems Wizard​
I help freelancers organise their work with DIY Notion templates & DWY Notion workspaces.

PO Box 2300, Tingalpa, QLD 4173
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Spells for Systems

A weekly digest of all things Notion, curated by Marie-Pier Rochon

Every Monday morning, you'll get a digest of the latest Notion updates, summaries of YouTube videos worth watching and interesting odds and ends, all about Notion.

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