Anki Notion Workflow: The Complete Guide To Smarter Notes And Faster Flashcards Most People Ignore
Anki notion setups feel clunky for a reason. See why the copy-paste, CSV hacks, and templates keep breaking—and how Flashrecall gives you the same result 10x...
How Flashrecall app helps you remember faster. It's free
Anki + Notion: Cool Idea… But There’s A Better Way To Do It
So you’re trying to connect Anki and Notion to build some kind of “perfect” study system?
Totally get it.
But here’s the problem: Anki + Notion workflows are usually:
- Clunky
- Full of manual copy-paste
- Constantly breaking with updates or templates
- And honestly… way more complicated than they need to be
If you want the end result (clean notes → powerful flashcards → automatic review), you might be better off skipping the hacky integrations and using something that does it all for you.
That’s where Flashrecall comes in:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
It gives you the best parts of Anki (spaced repetition, active recall) without the pain, and works beautifully with your existing notes, PDFs, screenshots, and more.
Let’s break down:
- What people usually try to do with Anki + Notion
- Why it’s so messy in practice
- And how to get the same outcome 10x easier with Flashrecall
What People Want From Anki + Notion (But Struggle to Get)
Most students want this kind of flow:
1. Take notes in Notion
2. Turn the important bits into Anki flashcards
3. Review them over time with spaced repetition
4. Actually remember stuff for exams, languages, work, etc.
In theory, that sounds perfect.
In reality, here’s what usually happens.
The Typical Anki + Notion Setup
People try things like:
- Copying notes from Notion into Anki manually
- Using Notion databases + exports + CSV imports into Anki
- Using complex templates or third-party scripts to sync cards
- Maintaining tags, fields, and formatting across two apps
And then you get:
- Broken formatting
- Duplicated cards
- Cards that don’t sync when you edit the original note
- Way too much time spent managing the system instead of learning
If you’ve ever thought “There has to be an easier way”… you’re right.
Why Anki + Notion Feels So Overcomplicated
Anki is powerful, but:
- The interface is old-school
- Mobile experience is… not great
- Syncing across devices can be annoying
- Card creation is slow if you’re doing it by hand
Notion is amazing for:
- Organizing notes
- Planning, to-dos, databases
- Writing long explanations
But Notion is not built for:
- Spaced repetition
- Smart review scheduling
- Quick, focused active recall sessions
So you end up forcing two tools to do something neither was really designed for together.
Instead of wrestling with exports, add-ons, and templates, you can just use one tool that:
- Turns anything into flashcards fast
- Has spaced repetition built in
- Works offline
- And still plays nicely with your existing notes
That’s what Flashrecall is designed to do.
Flashrecall: The Simple Alternative To Anki + Notion
Think of Flashrecall as:
“Anki-level memory power, but modern, fast, and actually fun to use.”
You can grab it here:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Here’s why it beats the whole Anki + Notion dance.
1. Turn Your Notes Into Flashcards Instantly
Instead of:
- Copying text from Notion
- Cleaning it up
- Pasting into Anki fields
- Manually formatting everything
With Flashrecall, you can make flashcards from:
- Text – paste or type notes and let it generate cards
- Images / screenshots – lecture slides, textbook pages, whiteboards
- PDFs – research papers, lecture notes, ebooks
- YouTube links – videos you’re studying from
- Audio – recordings, lectures
- Or just manual cards if you like full control
So your workflow becomes:
> Take notes wherever you like (including Notion) →
> Screenshot / export / copy →
> Drop into Flashrecall →
> Flashcards done.
No CSVs, no templates, no add-ons.
2. Built-In Spaced Repetition (No Setup Needed)
Anki is famous for spaced repetition, but you need to:
- Understand settings
- Tweak intervals
- Worry about decks, lapses, ease factors, etc.
Flashrecall just… does it for you.
- Spaced repetition is built-in
- Study reminders automatically nudge you when it’s time
- You don’t have to remember when to review – the app remembers for you
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
So instead of “Did I sync my Anki deck?”
You get “Oh, nice, Flashrecall reminded me – quick 10-minute review.”
3. Active Recall Without Overthinking Card Types
You don’t need to know which add-on or card type to use.
Flashrecall is built around active recall by default:
- Front of card: question, keyword, image, cue
- Back of card: answer, explanation, context
- You see the prompt, try to recall, then reveal the answer and rate how well you knew it
That rating feeds into the spaced repetition engine, so you see:
- Hard stuff more often
- Easy stuff less often
Exactly what you want, without the Anki settings rabbit hole.
How To Use Flashrecall With Notion (Without “Integrating” Anything)
You can totally keep using Notion for your notes.
You just don’t need a fragile sync to Anki.
Here’s a simple, realistic workflow.
Step 1: Take Notes in Notion Like You Normally Do
Use Notion for:
- Lecture notes
- Project summaries
- Meeting notes
- Language vocab lists
- Exam outlines
Highlight or mark the key parts you know you’ll want to remember.
Step 2: Capture The Important Bits Into Flashrecall
Then, whenever you finish a study session:
- Copy-paste the key section from Notion into Flashrecall
- Let Flashrecall help you turn it into cards
- Or screenshot your Notion page and import the image
- Or export a PDF of your notes and feed that into Flashrecall
You’re not trying to sync everything.
You’re pulling only the stuff worth memorizing – which is way more efficient.
Step 3: Let Flashrecall Handle The Memory Part
Once the cards are in Flashrecall:
- Spaced repetition kicks in automatically
- You’ll get study reminders
- You can review on iPhone or iPad, even offline
- No manual scheduling, no deck juggling
You use Notion to understand and organize.
You use Flashrecall to remember.
Flashrecall vs Anki + Notion: Quick Comparison
Let’s be blunt.
Setup & Ease of Use
- Anki + Notion:
- Needs templates, exports, imports
- Easy to break stuff
- Learning curve is steep
- Flashrecall:
- Install the app, start making cards
- No integrations needed
- Clean, modern interface, fast to use
Card Creation
- Anki + Notion:
- Mostly manual
- Lots of copy-paste
- Formatting can be messy
- Flashrecall:
- Instantly from images, PDFs, YouTube, audio, text
- Manual cards also supported
- Great for lectures, textbooks, slides, and online courses
Spaced Repetition & Reminders
- Anki + Notion:
- Anki has spaced repetition, but you must manage it
- No native study reminders from Notion
- Flashrecall:
- Spaced repetition built-in
- Auto study reminders so you don’t forget to review
Learning Support
- Anki:
- Flashcards only
- No built-in way to “ask questions” to your deck
- Flashrecall:
- You can chat with your flashcards
- If you’re unsure about a concept, you can ask follow-up questions
- Super useful for complex subjects like medicine, law, or coding
Platforms & Use Cases
- Anki + Notion:
- Great if you love tinkering and customizing
- Can be overkill or annoying on mobile
- Flashrecall:
- Works on iPhone and iPad
- Offline support for studying anywhere
- Great for languages, exams, school, university, medicine, business, literally anything you need to remember
Oh, and Flashrecall is free to start, so you can try it without committing to anything.
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Example: How This Beats A Typical Anki + Notion Workflow
Let’s say you’re studying anatomy.
With Anki + Notion
1. Take notes in Notion during lecture
2. Later, go through your notes
3. Manually create a Notion database for “Anatomy Cards”
4. Export to CSV
5. Import CSV into Anki
6. Fix formatting, fields, card types
7. Sync Anki to your phone
8. Hope nothing breaks next week when you change your notes
You’ve already spent more time on the system than on the actual learning.
With Flashrecall + Notion
1. Take notes in Notion
2. After lecture, screenshot the key diagrams and explanations
3. Import screenshots into Flashrecall
4. Let Flashrecall help turn them into flashcards
5. Start reviewing the same day with spaced repetition
6. Get automatic reminders over the next weeks so you don’t forget
Done. No CSVs, no imports, no integrations.
When Anki + Notion Might Still Make Sense
To be fair, there are cases where Anki + Notion is fine:
- You love tinkering with systems
- You’re already deep into Anki and don’t mind the complexity
- You want super customized card types and niche add-ons
But if your main goals are:
- “I want to remember what I study”
- “I don’t want to spend hours maintaining a setup”
- “I want something that just works on my phone/iPad”
…then Flashrecall is honestly a better fit.
How To Get Started With Flashrecall Today
If you’re currently stuck in the Anki + Notion rabbit hole, here’s a simple plan:
1. Download Flashrecall
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
2. Pick one subject you’re studying right now
3. Take your existing notes (even if they’re in Notion) and:
- Copy key parts into Flashrecall, or
- Screenshot important sections and import them
4. Let Flashrecall generate or help you build flashcards
5. Start reviewing daily for just 10–15 minutes
After a week, you’ll feel the difference:
- Less stress before tests
- Less time wasted on clunky workflows
- More actually remembered info
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need A Complicated System To Learn Well
Anki + Notion can look impressive on YouTube, but you don’t get extra points for having the most complex setup.
What actually matters is:
- How fast you can turn what you learn into flashcards
- How consistently you review them
- How easy it is to keep going when you’re busy or tired
Flashrecall is built for that:
Fast, modern, simple, and powerful enough for serious students.
If you want the benefits people chase with “Anki + Notion” – without the headaches – just start here:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Let Notion handle your notes.
Let Flashrecall handle your memory.
You focus on actually learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anki good for studying?
Anki is powerful but requires manual card creation and has a steep learning curve. Flashrecall offers AI-powered card generation from your notes, images, PDFs, and videos, making it faster and easier to create effective flashcards.
What's the fastest way to create flashcards?
Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.
What's the most effective study method?
Research consistently shows that active recall combined with spaced repetition is the most effective study method. Flashrecall automates both techniques, making it easy to study effectively without the manual work.
What should I know about Notion?
Anki Notion Workflow: The Complete Guide To Smarter Notes And Faster Flashcards Most People Ignore covers essential information about Notion. To master this topic, use Flashrecall to create flashcards from your notes and study them with spaced repetition.
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- 8BitDo Anki Setup Guide: Turn Your Gamepad Into The Ultimate Flashcard Power Tool Most Students Don’t Know About
Research References
The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research and established studies in cognitive psychology and learning science.
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380
Meta-analysis showing spaced repetition significantly improves long-term retention compared to massed practice
Carpenter, S. K., Cepeda, N. J., Rohrer, D., Kang, S. H., & Pashler, H. (2012). Using spacing to enhance diverse forms of learning: Review of recent research and implications for instruction. Educational Psychology Review, 24(3), 369-378
Review showing spacing effects work across different types of learning materials and contexts
Kang, S. H. (2016). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning: Policy implications for instruction. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 12-19
Policy review advocating for spaced repetition in educational settings based on extensive research evidence
Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968
Research demonstrating that active recall (retrieval practice) is more effective than re-reading for long-term learning
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27
Review of research showing retrieval practice (active recall) as one of the most effective learning strategies
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58
Comprehensive review ranking learning techniques, with practice testing and distributed practice rated as highly effective

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