--- title: "Notion shortcuts and speed tips for lawyers" url: https://notionforlawyers.com/blog/notion-shortcuts-for-lawyers updated: 2026-10-27 author: Raghav Handa --- # Notion shortcuts and speed tips for lawyers The Notion shortcuts that save a lawyer the most time are Cmd/Ctrl+K or P to search, Cmd/Ctrl+N for a new page (desktop), Cmd/Ctrl+[ and ] to go back and forward, Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+N for a new window, and Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+L for dark mode. Add slash commands and templates for the rest. ## Key takeaways - Learn five shortcuts first: search, new page, back, forward and new window. - Shortcuts in this article are ones Notion's help page lists; Notion can change them, so check the shortcuts page. - Templates and buttons save more time than any keystroke. - Search with the page open and dummy data in a practice area first. ## Which Notion shortcuts should lawyers learn first? Five shortcuts give most of the benefit, all listed on Notion's keyboard shortcuts page. On Mac use Cmd; on Windows use Ctrl. | Shortcut | What it does | | --- | --- | | Cmd/Ctrl + K or P | Open search or jump to a recently viewed page | | Cmd/Ctrl + N | Create a new page (desktop apps only) | | Cmd/Ctrl + [ | Go back a page | | Cmd/Ctrl + ] | Go forward a page | | Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + N | Open a new Notion window | | Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + L | Toggle dark and light mode | - Notion help: keyboard shortcuts: https://www.notion.com/help/keyboard-shortcuts ## How do you find a matter in seconds? Open search with Cmd/Ctrl+K and type part of the client or matter name. The search box also lists recently viewed pages, so for the matter you worked on this morning you may not need to type at all. Name matters consistently (surname, then description) so the first letters find them. Keep two windows open with Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+N: Home on one, the active matter on the other. It helps when you copy details between a matter and an email. ## Which slash commands and typing habits help? Typing a slash in a page opens the block menu, so you can insert headings, to-do lists, tables, linked database views and buttons without leaving the keyboard. Notion also supports Markdown-style typing: for example, typing a hash and a space starts a heading, a dash and a space starts a bullet, and [] starts a to-do. Try each on a scratch page. - /linked view of database to add a view of Matters or Deadlines to a page - /button to add a button that creates a row or edits properties - /toggle for collapsible sections in long matter pages - @ to mention a page, person or date ## Which database habits save the most time? Shortcuts matter less than structure. These habits save more minutes than any keystroke. 1. Use templates: A New matter template adds the checklist and headings so you never retype them. 2. Use buttons: A New matter button on Home and a Log time button remove several clicks per task. 3. Save views: A saved view like My Week replaces re-filtering every morning. 4. Use @date mentions: Mention today's date in a note to timestamp file notes. - Notion automations for law firms: https://notionforlawyers.com/blog/notion-automations-for-law-firms - Write file notes in Notion: https://notionforlawyers.com/guides/file-notes ## How do you capture work fast on a phone? Put a Log time button and a New matter button on Home so the mobile app shows them first. Pin or favourite Home. For urgent capture, add a quick-note database with just Title and Matter and fill the rest later. Keep mobile use consistent with your firm's device-security rules. ## How do you practise so shortcuts stick? 1. Pick two shortcuts a week and use only them for five days. 2. Add Cmd/Ctrl+K as your only way to find a page. 3. Print or pin the table above beside your screen. 4. After a month, list the three actions you still do with the mouse and find the shortcut or button for each. 5. Re-check Notion's shortcuts page occasionally, since keys can change. ## Where LawyerOS fits LawyerOS has its home page, saved views and database layout set up, so you spend practice time on the shortcuts above rather than on building navigation. You can add your own buttons and templates on top. - Compare LawyerOS Starter and Pro with AI: https://notionforlawyers.com/#pricing - See what LawyerOS includes: https://notionforlawyers.com/#editions ## FAQ ### What is the shortcut to search in Notion? Press Cmd+K or Cmd+P on Mac, or Ctrl+K or Ctrl+P on Windows, to open search or jump to a recently viewed page. This is listed on Notion's keyboard shortcuts help page. ### How do I create a new page quickly in Notion? Use Cmd/Ctrl+N in the desktop apps, which creates a new page. Notion's help page says this shortcut is for desktop apps only. In a database, use a New button or a template button instead. ### How do I go back a page in Notion? Press Cmd/Ctrl+[ to go back one page and Cmd/Ctrl+] to go forward, as listed in Notion's keyboard shortcuts help. These work like browser back and forward within your workspace. ### Is there a dark mode shortcut in Notion? Yes. Press Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+L to toggle between dark and light mode, according to Notion's help page. Useful for late-night work, but it only changes appearance. ### Where can I see all Notion shortcuts? Notion's help centre has a keyboard shortcuts page listing them by category and operating system. Check it occasionally because Notion updates the app, and some shortcuts differ between the web and desktop versions. ## Sources - [Notion help: keyboard shortcuts](https://www.notion.com/help/keyboard-shortcuts) - [Notion help: buttons guide](https://www.notion.com/help/guides/automatically-generate-blocks-pages-with-buttons)