How to Create a Notion Database
Learn how to create and configure Notion databases. Properties, views, filters, sorts, and relations explained step by step.
Step-by-step
How to Create a Notion Database
Create a new database
Type /database on any page and choose 'Database - Full page' (standalone) or 'Database - Inline' (embedded in a page). Give it a name. Notion creates a table view by default with a Title column.
Add properties (columns)
Click the + button to add properties. Common types: Select (dropdown), Multi-select (tags), Date, Person (assignee), Checkbox, Number, URL, and Relation (links to another database). Each property type has its own filter and sort options.
Create multiple views
Click '+ Add a view' at the top of the database. Choose Table, Board (kanban), Timeline (Gantt), Calendar, List, or Gallery. Each view can have its own filters, sorts, and visible properties. This is Notion's superpower — one database, many views.
Set up filters and sorts
Click 'Filter' to show only specific entries (e.g., Status is 'In Progress' AND Assignee is 'Me'). Click 'Sort' to order entries (e.g., by Due Date ascending). Filters and sorts are saved per-view.
Add relations and rollups
Use Relation properties to link databases together (e.g., Tasks → Projects). Then use Rollup properties to aggregate data from related entries (e.g., count of tasks per project, sum of deal values per company).
Tips
Pro tips
- *
Start with a Table view to set up properties, then create Board/Calendar/Timeline views for visualization
- *
Use Formula properties for calculated fields — Notion formulas support if/else, date math, and string operations
- *
Linked databases (/ linked view) let you embed filtered views of the same database on multiple pages
- *
Use database templates to pre-fill properties and page content for new entries
Related guides