Database Properties in Notion

Database properties are the backbone of Notion databases. They come in various forms to support every database entry, including numbers, tags, dates, text fields, and more. In this article, we will explore each of these properties in detail. We believe that a comprehensive knowledge of database properties will empower you to make the most out of Notion’s functionalities.

Be sure to check out our Intro to Notion Databases before delving into the database properties!

Getting Started

If you want to follow and practice along, please open your Notion workspace and follow our tutorial video below.

Let’s follow these steps to get started:

1. Let’s start by creating a sample Notion database. Begin by typing /table to initiate the table view.
2. Click on “Database – Table View” to select it. Our database will be in the table view, one of the most straightforward database views in Notion.
3. Name it as “Sample Database”. By default, your new database will have two columns: “Name” and “Tags.” However, since our goal is to explore all available properties, let’s go ahead and delete the “Tags” column for now.
4. Click the “plus” button to start viewing various property types.

Text Property

Every database item must have a name, as it essentially represents a page in Notion, and a page must have a name.

• You can rename this property and change its icon, but the type will always be “Text.”
• Text properties are versatile and straightforward, allowing you to input any text you desire.
• They are perfect for adding descriptions or extra information to your entries.

Number Property

A “Number” property is precisely what it sounds like – a numerical value. You can format it in various ways, including plain numbers, numbers with commas, percentages, dollars, or different currencies.

• This property is useful in tracking numerical values, whether you’re managing a budget or monitoring percentages.
• You can display the number property in three distinct formats: pure number, a progress bar, or a ring chart. These options allow you to visualize your data as needed.
• In addition, you can also customize the colors and adjust the display options to suit your preferences.

Select & Multi-Select Properties

The “Select” property is excellent for scenarios where you need to choose a single option from a predefined list.

• Think of it as a single-choice tag.
• For instance, if you need to categorize item as either “Contacted” or “Need to Contact,” you can use this property to make this distinction.

The “Multi-Select” property expands upon the Select property by allowing you to choose multiple options from a list.

• This • property can be handy when an item fits into multiple categories or has several attributes.
• For example, if a book in your book library database is both a “Romance Novel” and “Fiction,” you can use the Multi-Select property to indicate both attributes.

Status Property

The “Status” property functions similarly to the Select property but is ideal for creating task databases. It lets you categorize items as “To Do,” “In Progress,” or “Complete,” making it perfect for tracking progress in projects.

Date Property

Notion offers various date formats, including full dates, different ordering systems, and relative date formats.

• This property allows you to add dates and times to your entries.
• You can also customize the time format to use either a 12-hour or 24-hour clock.

Person Property

The “Person” property allows you to associate an entry with a member of your team or workspace who can access and edit the page. It’s a convenient way to link individuals to specific tasks or projects.

Files and Media Property

As the name suggests, the “Files and Media” property allows you to upload files or embed links, making it easy to attach documents, images, or other media to your entries.

Checkbox Property

The “Checkbox” property is ideal for task databases. You can use checkboxes to mark whether a task is complete or not.

URL Property

With the “URL” property, you can create clickable hyperlinks by inputting web addresses. This feature is especially useful for referencing external resources or websites within your database entries.

Email and Phone Properties

The “Email” and “Phone” properties automatically format entries as clickable email addresses and phone numbers, respectively. This streamlined functionality allows you to quickly reach out to contacts or initiate phone calls directly from your Notion page.

Formula Property

The “Formula” property is a powerful tool that can perform calculations and manipulate data within your database. While it’s a bit more complex, it enables you to create dynamic, data-driven solutions. This property deserves a dedicated tutorial of its own to explore its vast capabilities. We will explore this function in further details in the upcoming articles.

Relation Property

The “Relation” property enables you to establish connections between entries in different databases. This is particularly useful when you want to link related information across various pages and databases. We will provide in-depth tutorials about this property in the upcoming article.

Roll-Up Property

The “Roll-Up” property allows you to aggregate and display information from related databases. It can summarize data in a way that provides valuable insights into your projects and tasks. We will provide in-depth tutorials about this property in the upcoming article.

Automated Properties

Notion also provides several automated properties, such as “Time Created,” “Time Last Edited,” “Created By,” and “Last Edited By.” These properties generate data automatically, offering insights into when and by whom an entry was created or last edited.

ID Property

The “ID” property generates a unique identifier for each item in your database. This feature is valuable when you need distinct identification for various entries.

Show and hide database properties in Notion

Notion also offers flexibility when it comes to customizing and organizing your database properties. You can add properties directly within the table view, reorder them to suit your needs, and even hide or show specific properties as required. We give a detailed example in our tutorial video.

Other resources on Notion database properties

Notion also provides a detailed guide on this topic, which can accessed right here.

What’s next?

In this guide, we’ve explored the extensive array of database properties available in Notion. These properties serve as the core for creating efficient and organized databases tailored to your specific needs. We hope you’ve found this tutorial insightful. Database properties are a fundamental aspect of maximizing Notion’s capabilities, and mastering them will undoubtedly enhance your productivity and organization.

Feel free to share any questions or thoughts in the comments section, and don’t forget to stay tuned for more in-depth tutorials on utilizing Notion’s features effectively.