How to Change Notion’s Side Peek Setting

Notion has become one of the most powerful tools for managing documents, project workflows, tasks, and more—all within a sleek interface. However, as with any robust productivity app, navigating its features and customization options can sometimes be a bit tricky. One of the subtle but impactful features in Notion is its Side Peek setting, a view mode that dictates how pages are opened within the app. Mastering this setting can greatly enhance your efficiency and comfort while working in Notion.

Whether you’re a seasoned Notion user or a curious newcomer, understanding how to change and utilize the Side Peek setting can help you better manage your workspace. In this article, we’ll explore what the Side Peek setting is, why it matters, and how you can adjust it to suit your workflow.

What Is the Side Peek Setting in Notion?

The Side Peek setting controls how Notion opens new pages from within a parent page. By default, when you click a linked page or database item, Notion may open the page in a small pop-up style preview on the right side of the screen (commonly called a peek view). This feature allows you to quickly glance at a page without fully navigating away from your current context.

There are typically three viewing modes in Notion when opening a page:

• Side Peek: Opens the page as a side panel, on the right side of your screen.
• Full Page: Opens the selected page in the full screen, replacing your current view.
• Center Peek: Opens the page in a modal centered on your screen.

This viewing flexibility is particularly useful in complex workflows where multitasking and referencing multiple sections is necessary. That said, the Side Peek mode may not be ideal for every user or scenario.

Why the Side Peek Setting Matters

Changing how your pages open can significantly impact your productivity. Here are a few reasons why managing the Side Peek behavior is crucial:

• Improved focus: Viewing a page in full screen can help reduce distractions and promote deep work.
• Easier navigation: Depending on your screen size and layout, peeking pages on the side may not be optimal for reading or editing content.
• Workflow consistency: Having control over how pages open lets you maintain a consistent experience across your databases and areas.

How to Change the Side Peek Setting

Changing the Side Peek setting in Notion is not always intuitive, because it is context-dependent and doesn’t exist as a global setting. Instead, it is based on how you interact with content, especially within databases.

1. Opening Pages from a Database

The Side Peek setting is most relevant when interacting with databases such as boards, tables, or lists. When you click a database item, Notion may open it in Side Peek by default. To change this behavior:

1. Hover over any item in your database (e.g., an entry in a Table View).
2. You’ll notice a small pop-up icon on the right (looks like an arrow coming out of a square).
3. Click that pop-up icon. This will open the page in Full Page view, bypassing the Side Peek.

Helpful Tip: If you hold down the Cmd (on Mac) or Ctrl (on Windows) key while clicking, Notion opens the item in a new full-screen tab, which can also avoid Side Peek mode.

2. Changing Default Behavior (Inside a Linked Database View)

When embedding or linking a database inside a page, you may want to control how its entries behave. Here’s what you can do:

1. Click into the database view inside the page.
2. Select the three-dot menu at the top right of the database block (•••).
3. Go to Layout settings (label may differ depending on database type).
4. Scroll to the bottom and look for the Open Pages In setting.
5. Choose your preferred opening mode: Side Peek, Center Peek, or Full Page.

Once you set the default opening method for that database view, it stays consistent and overrides the app’s contextual behavior for that particular view.

Use Cases: When to Use Side Peek vs Full Page

Different situations call for different viewing modes. Here are some practical examples where you’d want to toggle the Side Peek setting:

Use Side Peek When:

• You’re quickly skimming through tasks or database entries.
• You want to reference another page without losing your current place.
• You’re working with a large monitor or side-by-side windows.

Use Full Page When:

• You’re editing or writing a long document.
• You want to focus deeply and avoid visual clutter.
• You’re on a smaller screen, like a laptop or tablet.

Tips for Better Workflow Using Peek Settings

The beauty of Notion is in its customization. If used strategically, Peek settings can streamline how you engage with data and tasks. Here are a few expert tips to supercharge your workflow:

• Create multiple views: Use different database views for different purposes and set a specific peek mode for each one.
• Use linked pages: Instead of cramming all content into a parent page, split it into smaller linked pages and configure how each opens.
• Keyboard shortcuts: Learn and use Notion’s keyboard shortcuts to open pages in different ways, saving time every day.

Combining peek settings with other productivity strategies like bookmarking and templates can amplify efficiency in significant ways.

Troubleshooting Side Peek Issues

Occasionally, users experience inconsistencies when pages don’t open the way they expect. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re facing issues with peek settings:

• Check your layout settings: If a database seems to be ignoring your open method, revisit the Database View settings and confirm the Open Pages In choice.
• Consider browser or app version: Sometimes the behavior may differ slightly between desktop app and web versions. Make sure you’re using the latest version.
• Browser pop-up blockers: On web, browser settings might affect how new pages open, especially if you’re trying to force a new tab.

Conclusion

Mastering Notion’s Side Peek setting may seem like a small adjustment, but it can have a substantial impact on your navigation habits, comfort, and overall productivity. By aligning your viewing mode with the way you work, you can build a Notion experience tailored to your individual needs.

So next time you’re toggling between tasks, databases, and documents, try experimenting with different peek settings. You might just find that one simple change makes your entire system more intuitive and enjoyable to use.