Notion Copy Table: How to Duplicate a Table
To copy a table in Notion, select the table block and use Ctrl/Cmd+C, then Ctrl/Cmd+V to paste it elsewhere. You can also duplicate the entire page containing the table, or use the table’s menu to duplicate just that block. This article explains all the methods, what gets copied, and common pitfalls.
Why Copying a Table Isn’t Always Straightforward
Notion tables come in two distinct forms: a simple table block (a grid of cells) and a database (which can be displayed as a table, board, or timeline). When people say “copy a table,” they might mean either. The copy behavior differs significantly between the two, which is a common source of confusion.
A simple table block is just static content — like a spreadsheet grid. A database, on the other hand, has properties, views, and relations. Copying a database block copies its structure and data, but not necessarily all its views or linked databases. Understanding which type you have is the first step to copying it correctly.
Method 1: Copy and Paste the Block
The quickest way to copy a table is to use the block handle that appears when you hover over the table. Click the six-dot icon (⋮⋮) to select the entire block, then press Ctrl/Cmd+C. Move your cursor to the desired location and press Ctrl/Cmd+V.
This method works for both simple tables and databases. For databases, the pasted copy will include all rows and properties, but it will be a new, independent database — not linked to the original. If you want changes in one to reflect in the other, you should use a linked view instead (see below).
Method 2: Duplicate the Block
Instead of copy-paste, you can duplicate a table block directly. Click the block handle, then select Duplicate from the menu that appears. This creates an exact copy immediately below the original. The duplicate is independent — editing one does not affect the other. This is handy when you need a quick backup or want to experiment without risking the original.
For databases, the duplicate will include all rows, properties, and the current view (e.g., table, board). However, it will not copy any linked views that exist elsewhere on the page. Those would need to be recreated manually.
Method 3: Duplicate the Entire Page
If the table is part of a larger page, you can duplicate the whole page. In the sidebar, hover over the page name, click the three-dot (⋯) menu, and select Duplicate. This creates a full copy of the page, including all tables and databases, in the same location. The duplicate page will have the same name with “(Copy)” appended.
This method is useful when you need to replicate an entire layout, such as a project tracker or a meeting notes template. Be aware that any linked databases on the page will still point to the original databases — they are not duplicated. Only the page’s own blocks are copied.
What Gets Copied and What Doesn’t
Understanding what is included in a copy prevents surprises:
- Simple table block: All cell content, formatting, and column widths are copied.
- Database block: All rows, properties, and the current view (table, board, etc.) are copied. However, filters, sorts, and view-specific settings are copied as well. But linked views (databases that appear elsewhere via a link) are not duplicated — they remain linked to the original.
- Relations and rollups: If a database has relation properties pointing to other databases, the copied database will still have those relation properties, but they will point to the original target database, not a copy of it. This can cause confusion if you intended to create a fully independent copy.
- Files and images: Any files or images uploaded to cells are copied as references, not as new uploads. This means the copy will still display them, but they remain hosted in Notion’s storage.
Copying a Table into Another App
If you need to copy a table out of Notion — for example, into Excel or Google Sheets — the process is different. Notion does not have a direct “Export as CSV” for a single table block, but you can:
- Select the table block and copy it (Ctrl/Cmd+C).
- Paste it into a spreadsheet app. Notion tables often paste as tab-separated values, which spreadsheets recognize.
- For databases, use the database’s menu (⋯) and choose Export to download a CSV or Markdown file. You can also export the entire page as Markdown or CSV from the page menu.
Pasting into a spreadsheet may lose some formatting, but the data will be intact. For a more reliable export, use the built-in export feature.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Several pitfalls trip up users when copying tables:
- Copying only the selection: If you select cells inside the table (not the whole block), copying will only copy those cells, not the entire table. Always use the block handle to select the whole table.
- Pasting into a cell: If you paste a copied table into a cell of another table, it will paste as plain text, not as a nested table. To paste as a table, place your cursor on an empty line outside any table.
- Linked databases: If you copy a database that is a linked view (created via the “Link to database” option), the copy will be just another linked view, not a copy of the data. To copy the actual data, you need to duplicate the original database block.
- Relations breaking: When duplicating a database that has relations to other databases, the relations will still point to the original targets. If you want a fully independent copy, you must also duplicate the related databases and update the relation properties manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy a table to another page?
Yes. Copy the table block (using the block handle) and then navigate to the target page. Place your cursor where you want the table and paste (Ctrl/Cmd+V). The table will appear there, independent of the original.
Does copying a database copy its views?
When you duplicate a database block, the copy includes the current view and any other views that are saved within the database. However, if you have a linked view (a separate block that displays the same database), that is not copied — it remains a reference to the original database.
Why does my pasted table turn into plain text?
This usually happens when you paste into a cell or a text block instead of an empty line. To paste as a table, make sure your cursor is on a new line (not inside any existing block). If you are pasting from a spreadsheet, Notion may interpret it as a table automatically if you paste onto an empty line.
Can I copy a table from Notion to Excel?
Yes. Select the table block and copy it, then paste into Excel. It will paste as tab-separated data, which Excel will parse into columns. For databases, use the Export option to get a CSV file, which Excel opens directly.
Is there a way to copy a table without duplicating it?
If you want to reference the same data in multiple places without duplicating, create a linked view of a database. For a simple table, there is no linked view; you would need to convert it to a database first.
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