Effortless Mobile Notion: Table of Contents Blocks

Welcome to Sip and Bloom, your go-to resource for practical strategies to elevate your digital workflows and small business operations. Today, we are unraveling one of the simplest ways to make Notion easier to navigate on your phone: Table of Contents blocks.

If you have ever found mobile usage clunky, this guide is for you. We will look at the Table of Contents block, the new page-level TOC setting, and how to combine both with smart headings and toggles so you can jump around long pages with one tap.

1. Why Mobile Notion Usage Can Be a Hassle

Notion is a powerhouse tool. It is perfect for habit trackers, finance logs, recipes, project management, client portals, and more. But when you move all of that into a phone screen, things can get overwhelming fast.

Small screens: Large dashboards feel cramped and hard to scan on mobile.
Endless scrolling: Hunting for a single section often means swiping and swiping.
Compact UI: The mobile app looks clean, but it is not as easy to “skim” as desktop.

The result? Many service providers avoid deep Notion usage on their phones even when it would be helpful during client calls or while traveling.

Table of Contents blocks and the page-level TOC setting can cut through the clutter. When they are set up well, you can tap a link and jump directly to the section you need instead of dragging the scrollbar forever.

Dark green layout featuring a Notion client portal table of contents example with text explaining how TOC blocks create tap-to-jump mobile navigation for long client hubs – bizstrtga.

Turn long client hubs into tap-to-jump navigation

This pin is a quick visual reminder of what we are building toward: a client portal where headings become clickable links, and you tap once to jump to any section on mobile.

2. What Are Table of Contents Blocks in Notion?

A Table of Contents block in Notion scans your page for headings and turns them into clickable links. Think of it as a mini navigation menu built from your H1, H2, and H3 blocks.

Heading 1 (H1): Top-level section.
Heading 2 (H2): Subsection or nested topic.
Heading 3 (H3): Smaller details or sub-sub-sections.

The block is dynamic. If you rename or move headings, the Table of Contents updates automatically. No manual linking needed.

Block vs. page-level Table of Contents

There are now two ways to see a TOC on a Notion page:

TOC block: A regular block you add with /toc. It sits wherever you place it in the page. This is what shows on mobile.
Page-level TOC: A sidebar-style menu that appears on the right side of the page on desktop. You can toggle this on or off in the page menu.

Dark green card over a leafy plant background listing five Notion page types—client portals, program hubs, launch dashboards, meeting notes, and SOPs & operations—that benefit from a Table of Contents block – bizstrtga.

Where to use TOC blocks in your workspace

Start by adding TOC blocks to the pages you open the most: client portals, program hubs, launch dashboards, meeting notes, and SOPs. These are the places where tap-to-jump navigation saves you the most time.

Notion client portal on a laptop with a Table of Contents block in the page and a page-level table of contents dropdown open in the top right, comparing both navigation options – bizstrtga.

How TOC blocks and page-level TOC work together

On desktop, you can use both the TOC block and the page-level TOC at the same time. The block is great for your “Quick Links” section. The sidebar helps you jump around while editing long pages.

Notion client portal page on a laptop with the page menu open, highlighting the page-level Table of contents toggle setting for the desktop sidebar – bizstrtga.

Where to toggle the page-level TOC

On desktop, click the ••• menu in the top right and toggle Table of contents on. That sidebar TOC will appear whenever the page has at least two headings.

3. Three Steps to Implement Table of Contents Blocks

Now let us set this up on a real page. Here is the simple roadmap I use inside client workspaces and my own systems.

Step 1: Organize your content with headings

Plan your sections: Decide how you want the page structured. For example, a client portal might use “Client Snapshot,” “Call Notes,” “Action Items,” and “Resources.”
Apply headings: Turn each main section into an H1 or H2. Use H3s for sub-details inside those sections.
Stay consistent: Use the same heading pattern across similar pages, like every client portal or program hub.

Step 2: Add a Quick Links navigation section

Create a “Quick Links” area: At the very top of the page, add a text block called “Quick Links” or “Navigation.”
Insert the TOC block: On a new line under that heading, type /toc and hit enter. Notion will build the Table of Contents block for you.
Preview the outline: Check that your headings are clear and in the order you want. If not, adjust them now.

Step 3: Use tap-to-jump on mobile

Open the page on your phone.
Tap any link in the Table of Contents block under “Quick Links.”
Notion will auto-scroll you right to that section.

This is where the magic happens during client calls, program reviews, or weekly check-ins. You no longer need to search for the right section.

Light, minimalist pin showing a Notion slash menu screenshot with Table of contents plus three numbered steps explaining how to plan headings, add Quick Links, and insert the TOC block – bizstrtga.

Save this TOC setup checklist

Pin this graphic as your quick reference. The next time you build a client portal or program hub, follow the three steps and you will have a mobile-friendly TOC in a few minutes.

Notion Client Call – Template page on a phone showing a Quick Links table of contents at the top and a detailed Client Snapshot section below for running calls from mobile – bizstrtga.

Example: Client call page with Quick Links

This layout is ideal for service providers. Use Quick Links for Snapshot, Notes, Action Items, and Next Call so you can run the entire session from your phone without getting lost.

4. Why This Block Changes the Experience

Navigating long Notion pages on mobile can feel like walking through a maze. A Table of Contents block turns that maze into a straight path.

Efficiency: Go straight to the section you need to update instead of scrolling past everything else.
Better UX for clients: When you share a page, clients can tap the TOC links to find what matters to them.
Less stress in live calls: You always know where to jump next without breaking the flow of conversation.
Less resistance to mobile: When mobile feels easier, you are more likely to check in and keep your workspace current.

Phone mockup showing a Notion Client Call – Template page with a Quick Links table of contents and an arrow pointing to tap-able headings instead of endless scrolling – bizstrtga.

Tap instead of scrolling during live calls

In this client call template, Quick Links sit above the Client Snapshot, so you can tap directly into Discussion Points, Key Insights, or Action Items while you are on Zoom or Google Meet.

5. Extra Tips for an Even Better Mobile Experience

5.1 Segment massive dashboards into subpages

If your main dashboard is doing too much, break it into smaller subpages. For example:

Main Dashboard → Finance Overview, Client Projects, Marketing, CEO Hub
Client Operations Hub → Client Portals, Templates, SOPs

Then add a Table of Contents block to each subpage so every space has its own Quick Links.

5.2 Use toggles to keep long modules tidy

Toggle lists are a great way to hide heavy content while still using headings inside your modules.

Notion Launch Program page on a phone with a Quick Links table of contents listing all modules and Module 1 expanded in a toggle to keep long program content organized – bizstrtga.

Program hubs with Quick Links and toggles

In this launch program page, each module lives in a toggle. The Quick Links TOC at the top lets you tap into each module without overwhelming the page on mobile.

Important: Headings that are nested inside another block or indented under a toggle will not appear in the TOC. Keep your module headings as top-level headings so the TOC can see them, then nest details inside the toggle body.

5.3 Use templates so every new page has a TOC

Whenever you create a new client portal, program hub, or meeting notes page, start from a template that already includes:

A Quick Links heading
A Table of Contents block
Pre-defined H2 and H3 headings for the sections you always need

That way, you never forget to add a TOC block and your pages stay consistent across your business.

Phone mockup showing a Notion Client Call – Template page with a Quick Links TOC and client snapshot, next to a checklist of what to include on a pre-client call Notion page – bizstrtga.

Pre-client call ritual with your Notion TOC

Use this pin as a pre-call checklist: open your client page, skim Snapshot, review links, and jump into Notes or Action Items using your TOC. It is a simple ritual that makes every session feel anchored and intentional.

If you want ready-made layouts that already use this structure, visit my digital shop, The Apothecary, for Notion templates and Apple Shortcut helpers designed for service providers.

6. Notion Keyboard Shortcuts for Headings, TOC, and Clean Pages

Here is a quick shortcut reference you can use while you are building or cleaning up your system. These work best on desktop but many also apply in the browser app.

Minimal cheat sheet graphic with sections for Headings and TOC + Toggles, listing Notion keyboard shortcuts for H1–H3, the TOC block, toggles, and expanding all toggles – bizstrtga.

Shortcut cheat sheet for TOC-friendly pages

Pin this if you want a one-glance reminder of the shortcuts for headings, TOC blocks, and toggles. It is the fastest way to rebuild messy pages into clean, mobile-ready layouts.

The basics

cmd/ctrl + N – Create a new page (desktop apps).
cmd/ctrl + shift + N – Open a new Notion window (desktop apps).
cmd/ctrl + P or cmd/ctrl + K – Open search or jump to a recent page.
cmd/ctrl + L – Copy the current page URL.
cmd/ctrl + [ / cmd/ctrl + ] – Go back or forward.
cmd/ctrl + shift + L – Toggle light and dark mode.

Emoji tip: Type : plus the emoji name (like :apple) or use your system emoji picker to add quick visual cues.

Markdown-style shortcuts

At the start of a line, you can type:

# + space → H1 heading
## + space → H2 heading
### + space → H3 heading
> + space → Toggle list
1., a., or i. + space → Numbered list
[] + space → To-do checkbox

Creating and styling content

enter – New block of text.
shift + enter – Line break inside a block.
cmd/ctrl + B – Bold.
cmd/ctrl + I – Italic.
cmd/ctrl + U – Underline.
cmd/ctrl + shift + S – Strikethrough.
cmd/ctrl + K – Add a link.
cmd/ctrl + E – Inline code.
tab – Indent a block.
shift + tab – Un-indent a block.
/toc – Insert a Table of Contents block.
/toggle – Insert a toggle list.

Block-level edits and movement

esc – Select the current block or clear selection.
cmd/ctrl + A – Select the current block first, then all content.
cmd/ctrl + D – Duplicate selected blocks.
cmd/ctrl + / – Change block type, color, or other options.
cmd/ctrl + option/alt + T – Expand or close all toggles in a list.

Use these while you are mapping your headings and TOC blocks and you will move through cleanup days much faster.

Want to dive deeper into Notion blocks? Read more about on how to master them in my Notion Blocks Unlocked: Build a Workspace That Works for You blog!

7. Common Questions About Notion TOC on Mobile

Does the Table of Contents work offline?

You can tap TOC links on a page that has already loaded, but in general Notion still needs an internet connection to sync changes and load new pages. I recommend planning to be online for big cleanup sessions.

Can I rearrange the links inside the TOC block?

No. The Table of Contents follows the order of your headings in the page. To change the sequence, drag or reorder the headings themselves.

How many headings can a Table of Contents handle?

There is no practical limit for most small business use cases. If your TOC feels too long, it is usually a sign that your page needs to be split into smaller subpages.

Does every subpage need its own TOC?

No. Short pages can stay simple. For long-running dashboards, program hubs, and client portals, a TOC often saves a lot of time, especially on mobile.

8. Conclusion

If Notion on your phone has felt more like a chore than a support system, the Table of Contents block is a small change that makes a big difference. By combining clear headings, Quick Links, and a smart use of toggles and subpages, you can:

Jump instantly to any section with one tap.
Eliminate endless scrolling on a small screen.
Run client calls and program reviews directly from your phone.

Start with one high-impact page: your main client portal, your favorite dashboard, or the program hub you use every week. Add a Quick Links text block, drop in a TOC block, and see how much smoother Notion feels on mobile.

About Me & How Biz Strtga Can Help

Hola — I am Jen, the Biz Strtga (strat·e·gista)! I help small business owners and freelancers build Notion workspaces that truly support their goals, with a special focus on service providers.

Through my brand Biz Strtga and my shop, Sip and Bloom, I support entrepreneurs and small teams who are ready to turn scattered workflows into a custom Notion ecosystem.

How we can work together

Ecosystem Build: A full custom Notion workspace for your entire business. We design a complete operating system around your actual workflows, with optional migration, advanced automations, and team training.
Growth Formula: Deep optimization of an existing Notion workspace. I refine your databases, navigation, and automations so your current setup finally matches how you work.
Workspace Nurture Package: Three targeted improvements delivered in one week. Ideal when your workspace mostly works but has a few pain points that slow you down.
Cultivation Session: A 90-minute 1:1 Notion consulting and implementation call. We focus on one big challenge (with room for a couple of smaller ones), then you get a recording and a personalized Bloom Growth Guide with next steps.
Digital Products – The Apothecary: Ready-to-use Notion helpers and Apple Shortcuts, including Quick Input to Notion and 10 Essential Apple Shortcuts, so you can streamline capture and everyday workflows without a full custom build.

Based in Los Angeles, I am available for Notion workshops, speaking, brand partnerships, and done-for-you builds. If you are ready to make Notion easier to use on your phone and across your whole business, reach out and let us design an ecosystem that actually supports you.