Make Flashcard Widgets from a Notion Data Source
Create flashcard widgets from a Notion data source in Blocky. Map question, answer, and multi-select options. Auto-randomize choices, support variants, and publish to Notion pages in minutes.
Turn any Notion data source into smart study decks and auto-randomized quizzes in minutes.
Big news. You can now make flashcard widgets from a Notion data source. I built this so you can turn your existing tables into study decks in minutes.
At the top of the Flashcards editor, you’ll see two tabs: Manual and Notion. Click Notion and Blocky fetches your connected data sources from Notion.
From there, pick the data source you want, map your fields, and hit save. That’s it. Your cards are created and ready to embed anywhere in Notion. Blocky · Notion
Why “data source” instead of just “database”?
Notion recently introduced first-class Data Sources in the API. A database can now contain multiple data sources, each with its own schema.
In practice, that means better structure, cleaner queries, and safer upgrades. It also means integrations like Blocky can target the exact table you intend.
If you use “list databases” or broad search in older versions, you’ll notice the shift. With data sources, you precisely select the table that holds your cards.
This update unlocks smarter workflows. Less ambiguity. Fewer mismatches. Higher speed. And it’s perfect for flashcards, where consistent fields matter a lot. Notion Data Source API
Connect Blocky to Notion (one-time setup)
Open Blocky and connect your Notion workspace. This grants Blocky permission to read the data source you choose later.
You can add connections to specific pages or databases in Notion when prompted. That keeps access scoped and your workspace secure and tidy.
Notion Authorization Help: Connections
Create your first flashcard widget from a Notion data source
Head to Study → Flashcards in Blocky and click Create. Choose the Notion tab under data settings options. Blocky will fetch your available data sources.
Select the data source that contains your learning material. You’ll see dropdowns to map the fields Blocky needs for each variant.
At minimum, pick a Question field and an Answer field. For quiz variants, also choose a Multi-Choice field (multi-select).
Click Save. Blocky pulls rows from the selected data source. Your widget is now ready to embed in any Notion page via a secure URL. Blocky
Field mapping: Question, Answer, and Multi-Choice
Question field. Map this to the column that contains your prompts. Short, clear phrasing works best. Avoid hidden formulas or rollup.
Answer field. Map this to the column with your correct answers. You can keep formats simple: plain text, short phrases, or keywords.
Multi-Choice field (for Quiz). Choose a Multi-select property. Add any number of options. Colors don’t matter; labels do all the work.
Don’t worry if your correct answer isn’t listed in Multi-select. Blocky adds the right answer into the options and randomizes the order. Taken from the answer field.
Prefer to include the correct answer in Multi-select? Go for it. Blocky still shuffles choices, so users can’t memorize positions. Database properties
Best practices for quiz variants and randomization
Keep wrong choices plausible, short, and mutually exclusive. Ambiguity frustrates learners and weakens recall.
Limit each card to 3–5 options for faster decision-making. Too many choices increases fatigue and reduces accuracy.
Use consistent capitalization and punctuation across options. Visual noise is a hidden tax on comprehension.
Rotate content with spaced repetition. Practice beats cramming. Start small, then grow your deck as mastery improves.
For advanced decks, tag topics in an extra property. Use filters to focus sessions on a single theme or difficulty.
Designing a reliable Notion data source for flashcards
Create clean, typed columns in your Notion data source. Use Title or Text for questions; Text for answers.
For quiz decks, set a Multi-select property named “Choices.” Add all distractors you need; keep labels crisp and consistent.
Avoid mixing formulas for core fields. Compute in helper columns. Then map the final, human-readable fields to Blocky.
Add optional fields: Topic, Difficulty, or Source. These give you powerful filtering and better study sessions. Notion property objects
Example:
Performance tips: large data sets, filters, and pagination
Notion API responses use cursor-based pagination. If your deck is huge, Blocky fetches it in batches behind the scenes.
When possible, filter decks by topic or status in the editor. Smaller result sets mean faster loads and snappier reviews.
If you’re reorganizing a massive library, split into themed data sources. It keeps schemas focused and avoids accidental field drift.
Pro tip: keep option labels short. That reduces line wrapping, makes cards cleaner, and accelerates scan time for the eye. Pagination reference Query data source
Privacy & security: scopes, tokens, and revoking access
Notion uses bearer tokens and OAuth to authorize integrations. Blocky never needs more scope than the pages you grant.
You can revoke a token or remove a connection at any time. Workspace admins can audit connections from Notion settings.
For creators sharing embeds, limit the data to what’s required. Keep personal notes or sensitive docs out of the connected tree.
Good hygiene pays dividends: clear scopes, clear logs, clear roles. It’s faster to build when your permissions are predictable. Authentication
Step-by-step: from a blank data source to a live quiz
- Create a Notion database and add a data source for your deck.
- Add columns: Question (text), Answer (text), Choices (multi-select).
- Fill rows with your prompts, answers, and distractors.
- In Blocky, open Flashcards → Create → Notion and pick your data source.
- Map Question, Answer, and Multi-Choice to the right properties.
- Choose your variant (e.g., Quiz, Normal, Minimalist).
- Save. Embed the widget on any Notion page and start practicing.
- Update your Notion data source anytime and open the editor to resync and select the data source. Blocky · Notion API
FAQs: quick answers to common questions
Do I need to include the correct answer in Multi-select? No. As long as your Answer field has the truth, Blocky inserts and shuffles it.
Can I use multiple data sources in one widget? Pick one data source per widget for clarity and performance. Create more widgets if needed.
What if my data source has 1,000+ rows? Blocky paginates under the hood. Use filters to narrow the scope for faster sessions. The free tier is limited to 500 rows. The Standard plan allows 1,000 rows. And the Pro plan allows 5,000 rows.
Which formats work best for answers? Short text works great. If you need images or formulas, normalize to text fields first.
Can I switch variants after mapping? Yes. Re-open the editor, change the variant, and confirm mappings still align.
Will this sync with my data source like charts? As of right now the widget doesn't sync with the data source. It will be added in the future.
Final notes and next steps
Now you can make flashcard widgets from a Notion data source without busywork. Map fields once, and let Blocky handle the creation, randomization, and display.
If you’re a teacher, a founder, or a lifelong learner, this unlocks speed. You can ship a deck today and refine it live as feedback rolls in.
Want inspiration? Start with a tiny deck and expand by topic. Small wins compound. Clean schemas scale. Your future self will thank you.
I’ll keep iterating on variants, filters, and spaced repetition niceties. You keep creating better questions. Together, we make learning stick. Blocky · Notion Data Source API
Other Articles
- Data Sources Update
- How To Embed
- Connect Blocky To Notion
- How To Create Widget Codes
- Request A Widget
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