How to add a relation between databases in Notion

Learn how to link two Notion databases with a relation property so records like customers and orders stay connected.

Quick answer

Open the database you want to connect, click Add property, choose Relation as the property type, then select the second database from the list. Turn on the Two-way relation toggle and Notion adds a matching relation column to the other database, so both stay in sync.

Steps at a glance

  1. Open the first database you want to connect
  2. Click Add property at the end of the column headers
  3. Select Relation as the property type
  4. Choose the second database to link to
  5. Turn on Two-way relation to show it on both sides
  6. Click Add relation to confirm
  7. Link individual records by selecting pages in the new column

Interactive demo

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Summary

A relation property connects records across two separate Notion databases, letting you see which items in one table are linked to items in another. It's the feature that turns standalone tables into a connected system, similar to how a spreadsheet's lookup works but visual and two-directional.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Step 1

    Open the database you want to link from

    Navigate to the database where you want the relation to start, such as a Customers table. If you haven't set up your databases yet, follow the guide on how to create a database first, since relations require at least two existing databases in your workspace.

  2. Step 2

    Add a new property

    In table view, click Add property at the right end of your column headers. This opens the property type menu where you'll choose what kind of data the new column holds.

  3. Step 3

    Select Relation as the property type

    Click the search icon next to Select type, type 'Relat', and click Relation. A Related to panel opens where Notion asks which database you want to connect to.

  4. Step 4

    Choose the database to connect

    A search box appears listing databases in your workspace. Type the name of the second database, such as Items Purchased, and select it from the results. If you organized your data using a table view, it will show up here automatically.

  5. Step 5

    Decide whether to show the relation on both sides

    Notion gives you a toggle labeled Two-way relation, off by default. Turn it on to add a matching relation column to the second database (you can rename it in the Related property name field). Leave it off if you only need one-way linking.

  6. Step 6

    Confirm and populate the relation

    Click Add relation to save the property. Then open individual pages or click into the relation cell on each row to select which records from the other database should be linked.

  7. Step 7

    Verify the connection works both ways

    Switch to the second database and confirm the new relation column appeared with the correct linked pages. If you plan to pull data from these connected tables into external tools, check the integrations guide for setup details.

Why this matters

You're tracking customers in one database and orders in another, and you need to see which customer placed which order without duplicating data. Adding a relation connects the two instantly, so updates in one place reflect everywhere, saving you from manual copy-pasting and mismatched records.

Troubleshooting

  • I created a linked database view instead of a relation

    A linked database displays another view of one database. It does not connect records from two databases. Delete that block, open the database property menu, and choose Relation. Use the linked database guide when you only need the same records displayed on another page.

  • The second database does not appear in the relation picker

    Search for the database by its exact name in the Related to panel, and confirm you can open it.

Frequently asked questions

  • Can I add a relation between databases in different workspaces?

    Relations link databases you can pick from the Related to list in the current workspace. If the database you need is not listed, check that you have access to it.

  • Does adding a relation change my existing data?

    No, adding a relation property just creates a new empty column. Your existing rows and properties stay untouched until you manually link specific records.

  • What's the difference between a relation and a rollup?

    A relation connects records between two databases, while a rollup pulls a specific value, like a sum or count, from those connected records into the current database's view.

  • Can I remove a relation without deleting the linked pages?

    Deleting a relation property (Edit property, then Delete property) removes the column and its links. The pages in both databases stay.

Related guides

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