Notion Add Emoji Text: How to Insert Icons

Updated 4 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Yes, you can add emoji text in Notion, and it works in two main ways: as inline emoji characters within any text block, and as page icons next to titles. You can insert emoji by copying them from a system picker (like Windows key + . or Mac Control + Command + Space) and pasting them into Notion, or by typing a shortcut like :smile to trigger Notion’s built-in emoji picker.

How Emoji Work in Notion

Notion treats emoji as standard Unicode characters, so they behave like any other text symbol. You can type them directly into a paragraph, heading, bullet point, or even inside a formula (though formulas only display them as text, not as icons). The main distinction is between inline emoji (in the body of a page) and page icons (the large symbol next to the page title in the sidebar and breadcrumb). Both use the same emoji set, but they are inserted differently.

Notion also supports emoji in database properties, such as a “Status” or “Tag” select option, which is a popular way to visually label tasks. You can paste an emoji into the property name, and it will appear in the database view.

How to Insert Inline Emoji

There are three reliable ways to add emoji to a text block in Notion:

Use the system emoji picker: On Windows, press Win + . (period) while your cursor is in a Notion text field. On macOS, press Control + Command + Space. Select any emoji and it will be inserted at the cursor.
Type a shortcut: Type a colon followed by a keyword, like :rocket or :check. A small popup will appear with matching emoji. Click one or press Enter to insert it. This works for common names (e.g., :smile, :fire, :bug).
Copy and paste: Copy an emoji from any website or another app and paste it into Notion. This always works, even for emoji that aren’t in the shortcut list.

If the shortcut popup doesn’t appear, make sure you’re typing in a text block (not a code block) and that your Notion app is updated. The shortcut feature is available in the desktop apps and web version.

How to Set a Page Icon

To add an emoji as a page icon (the big symbol next to the title), hover over the page title in the editor. A menu will appear with options like “Add icon” or “Change icon.” Click it, then choose the “Emoji” tab. You can either search for an emoji by name or scroll through the grid. Click one to set it as the icon. You can also upload a custom image instead of an emoji.

Page icons appear in the sidebar, in the breadcrumb at the top of the page, and in database pages when you open them. They are purely decorative and do not affect the content of the page.

Choosing the Right Emoji

Because emoji are Unicode characters, the exact appearance depends on the operating system and device. An emoji that looks like a red circle on Windows might look like a flat red square on some Android devices. For page icons, this is usually fine, but for inline text, it can change the tone. If you need a consistent look across all users, consider using a custom image icon instead of an emoji.

Also, Notion’s shortcut picker only shows a limited set of emoji. If you can’t find one, use the system picker or copy from a site like Emojipedia. Some emoji with multiple skin tones (like ğŸ‘�) can be modified by long-pressing on the emoji in the system picker.

Common Problems and Fixes

Here are the most common issues users run into and how to solve them:

Emoji not showing up in formulas: Formulas only display text; they don’t render emoji as icons. You can include an emoji character inside a string (e.g., "âœ… "), but it will appear as plain text, not as a graphic.
Shortcut popup not appearing: Make sure you’re in a text block (not a code block) and that you’re typing a colon immediately followed by a word without spaces. If it still doesn’t work, try the system picker.
Emoji appearing as a black-and-white outline: This happens when the emoji is not supported by the font on your device. It’s rare but can occur with newer emoji. Try a different emoji or update your OS.
Page icon not showing in sidebar: The sidebar may be collapsed or the page may be nested. Click the page to open it; the icon should appear in the breadcrumb. If not, try changing the icon again.

Alternatives to Emoji

If emoji aren’t suitable for your use case, Notion offers other visual options:

Custom images: You can upload any image as a page icon or as an inline image in a text block.
Callout blocks: The callout block has an emoji icon by default, but you can change it to a custom image or remove it entirely.
Database properties: Instead of emoji in select options, you can use a formula to display a status text, or use a checkbox.
Icons in databases: Some database views (like Board) allow you to show a cover image or an icon for each item, which can be set to an emoji or an uploaded image.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use emoji in Notion on mobile?

Yes, the mobile apps (iOS and Android) support emoji. On iOS, the system emoji keyboard is available. On Android, the Gboard or other keyboards provide emoji. The shortcut picker (typing :) also works in the mobile apps.

Why does my emoji look different on another device?

Emoji are rendered by the operating system, not by Notion. Each platform (Apple, Google, Microsoft, etc.) has its own design. For example, the “smile” emoji looks different on an iPhone compared to a Windows PC. This is normal and cannot be changed in Notion.

Can I add an emoji to a database select option?

Yes. When you create or edit a select option, you can paste an emoji into the option name. For example, you could name a status option “âœ… Done” and it will display the emoji in the database. The emoji is stored as part of the option name, so it will appear everywhere that option is shown.

How do I remove an emoji from a page icon?

Hover over the page title, click the icon, and choose “Remove” or “Change icon.” You can also replace it with a custom image. Removing the icon will leave the page with no icon, showing only the page title.

Does Notion support emoji in code blocks?

No, code blocks are plain text only. If you paste an emoji into a code block, it will be displayed as a monochrome character or may not render at all. Use inline text blocks for emoji.

Can I use emoji in Notion formulas to change the output?

You can include emoji in a formula’s output string, but they will be treated as plain text. For example, if(prop("Done"), "âœ…", "â�Œ") will show the emoji characters, but they won’t be interactive icons. This is useful for simple visual cues.

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