Notion vs Excel for lawyers: which should run your matters?

Side-by-side

Where the spreadsheet breaks down for matters

• Notes live elsewhere, so the row has no context.
• Dates sit in a column nobody sorts after the first month.
• Everyone keeps a personal copy and versions diverge.
• There is no clean way to show 'my matters this week' without filtering by hand.
• Adding a related list (deadlines per matter) means a second sheet and lookup formulas.

None of this means Excel is wrong. A spreadsheet is perfectly good for a small matter list you alone maintain.

Moving from Excel to Notion

1. 1

   Clean the sheet

   One header row, one matter per row, no merged cells.

2. 2

   Export

   Save as CSV.

3. 3

   Import

   Use Notion's CSV import to create a database, then set property types (date, select, person).

4. 4

   Add relations

   Create Deadlines and Actions databases and link them to Matters.

5. 5

   Keep numbers in Excel

   Fee models and reports can stay in a spreadsheet.

Check Notion's help centre for the current import options. For database mechanics, see /resources/guides/notion-databases-for-lawyers.

A shortcut

If you would rather not design the structure, LawyerOS Starter ($19) provides Matters and Deadlines databases with a home page of upcoming deadlines, and Pro with AI ($39) adds Actions, Time, Clients and Invoices databases. Both are one-time purchases for your own Notion workspace.

Frequently asked questions

Is Notion better than Excel?

For matters, deadlines and notes, usually yes. For financial modelling and heavy data analysis, Excel is stronger.

Can I import my Excel matter list into Notion?

Yes, via CSV import, then set the property types. Check Notion's help centre for current steps.

Can Notion do formulas?

It has formulas and rollups, but they are less powerful than Excel's.

Can I keep using both?

Yes. Many firms run matters in Notion and finances in a spreadsheet or accounting tool.