How to create a database in Notion

Summary

A Notion database turns a plain page into a structured collection of items, each with its own set of properties like text, dates, tags, or people. Databases can be displayed as tables, boards, calendars, lists, or galleries, making them useful for tracking tasks, content, contacts, or projects in whatever layout fits your workflow best.

Step-by-step guide

1. Step 1

   Open a page for your database

   Create a new page in your workspace or open an existing one where you want the database to live. If you're starting fresh, see how to create a page before adding a database inside it.

2. Step 2

   Insert the database with a slash command

   Click on an empty line and type /table. A menu will appear with Table and Table view (Database). Choose Table view (Database), then New empty data source; you can add other views later.

3. Step 3

   Name your database and add the first item

   Give your database a title at the top, then click into the first row under the Name column to add your first item. This first column always holds the name of each database entry, whether it's a task, a contact, or a project.

4. Step 4

   Add properties to describe each item

   Click Add property in the header row (or the + after your last column) to add a new property, such as Status, Due Date, Tags, or Assigned Person. Properties act like tags that give each item context, similar to how you might add labels or fields in a spreadsheet.

5. Step 5

   Edit property types as needed

   Click any property name at the top of a column, select Change type to change it. You can switch between text, number, select, date, checkbox, and other formats depending on what the property tracks.

6. Step 6

   Choose or add a view

   Hover the database title and click the + beside it to add another layout, like a board for tracking progress the way you would on a Kanban board, or a calendar for date-based items.

7. Step 7

   Filter, sort, and share your database

   Click Filter or Sort near the top of the database to organize items by property values, like showing only tasks marked In Progress. When your database is ready, use the Share button to give teammates access, following the same steps as when you share a page.