2025-11-15 · · Daniel A

How to Migrate from Notion to SimplyBoard

Migrate from Notion to SimplyBoard by exporting your workspace as a Markdown & CSV ZIP file, extracting the contents, and uploading the .md files into SimplyBoard. This moves your data into a zero-knowledge, client-side encrypted environment that preserves Markdown formatting while providing faster, offline-first access and instant fuzzy search.

To migrate from Notion to SimplyBoard, export your Notion workspace as a Markdown & CSV ZIP file, extract the contents, and upload the Markdown files directly into SimplyBoard. This process preserves your text, headers, and formatting while moving your data into a zero-knowledge, client-side encrypted environment.

Many users are moving away from Notion because of its increasing complexity, slow load times, and lack of true end-to-end encryption. SimplyBoard offers a faster, private alternative that prioritizes speed and security. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough for a seamless transition.

Why Users Are Migrating to SimplyBoard

While Notion is a powerful all-in-one workspace, it often suffers from "feature bloat" that can hinder daily productivity. Users often switch to SimplyBoard for three primary reasons:

• Privacy and Security · Unlike Notion, SimplyBoard uses client-side encryption. Every note is encrypted in your browser using AES-256-GCM before it ever reaches a server.
• Speed and Performance · SimplyBoard is built for speed. With an offline-first architecture and instant fuzzy search, you can find any note in milliseconds without waiting for a cloud database to "wake up."
• Simplicity · If you find yourself spending more time "building" your Notion workspace than actually writing, SimplyBoard’s keyboard-first design and flat structure will be a breath of fresh air.

Phase 1: Preparing Your Notion Export

Before you move your data, you need to extract it from Notion's proprietary format into a portable one.

1. Open Notion on your desktop or in a web browser.
2. Click on Settings & members in the top-left sidebar.
3. Select Settings in the sidebar of the pop-up window.
4. Scroll down to the Export content section and click Export all workspace content.
5. In the "Export format" dropdown, select Markdown & CSV.
6. Ensure "Include content" is set to Everything.
7. Click Export. Notion will generate a download link and send it to your email once the ZIP file is ready.

Handling Large Workspaces

If your Notion workspace is exceptionally large (several gigabytes), the export may take time. Notion processes these requests on their servers. Once you receive the email, download the ZIP file to a local folder on your computer.

Phase 2: Cleaning and Organizing Data

Notion exports can be messy. They often include nested folders and unique identifiers (long strings of random characters) in filenames.

• Unzip the file · Extract the ZIP archive to a dedicated folder.
• Filter your files · SimplyBoard is a plain-text power tool. Focus on the .md (Markdown) files. You can ignore the .csv files unless you plan to manually convert database rows into individual notes.
• Remove UUIDs (Optional) · Notion adds a unique ID to every filename (e.g., My-Note-abc123...). You can use a bulk renaming tool if you want cleaner titles, but SimplyBoard’s instant search will find your content regardless of the filename.

Phase 3: Importing to SimplyBoard

SimplyBoard makes the import process straightforward. Because we use zero-knowledge encryption, your files are encrypted locally in your browser during the upload process.

1. Log in to your SimplyBoard account.
2. Navigate to the Settings or Import section.
3. Drag and drop your Markdown files into the import zone.
4. SimplyBoard will process the files, encrypting each one with your unique key derived via Argon2id.
5. Once finished, your Notion pages will appear as searchable entries in your workspace.

Mapping Notion Features to SimplyBoard

The transition involves a slight shift in how you organize information. SimplyBoard moves away from deep hierarchies in favor of a more fluid, search-first workflow.

From Databases to Searchable Entries

Notion relies heavily on databases. In SimplyBoard, we recommend turning database rows that function as notes into individual entries. Instead of filtering a database, you use workspaces and tags to categorize information. This is significantly faster for retrieval.

From Folders to Tags and Workspaces

If you used folders in Notion to separate work from personal life, use SimplyBoard’s Workspaces feature. For smaller categorizations, use tags. SimplyBoard’s death of folders philosophy means you spend less time clicking through directories and more time finding what you need through the command palette.

From Blocks to Markdown

SimplyBoard uses standard Markdown. This means your data is never locked in. You can export your notes at any time as plain text, ensuring you always own your data.

Security After Migration

However, the real security lies in the encryption. Because we do not store your password or your encryption keys on our servers, there is no "forgot password" reset for your content.

Important: After migrating, ensure you have saved your one-time recovery code. This is the only way to regain access to your encrypted notes if you lose your password.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Missing Images · Notion exports images into subfolders. Ensure you keep the folder structure intact during the import if you want to maintain image references, or re-upload critical assets directly into SimplyBoard entries.
• Broken Internal Links · Notion’s internal links use their internal ID system. When moved to SimplyBoard, these will remain as text. We recommend using SimplyBoard’s internal linking syntax to reconnect your personal knowledge management graph.
• Formatting Glitches · While most Markdown transfers perfectly, some complex Notion "callouts" or "toggles" may require minor manual adjustment to look perfect in SimplyBoard’s editor.

If you need assistance with a large-scale migration, our team is available at support@simplyboard.io to help you transition smoothly to a faster, more private note-taking experience.