Quick answer
To create a database in Notion, open a page and type /table or /database, then choose a view like Table, Board, or Calendar. Name the database, add properties for each column, and enter items as rows. Each row becomes its own page where you can add more details.
Steps at a glance
- Open or create a page in your workspace
- Type /table or /database to insert a new database
- Name the database and add your first item
- Add properties like Status, Date, or Tags
- Pick a view type such as Table, Board, or Calendar
- Apply filters and sorts to organize items
- Share the database page with collaborators
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
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.
Step 2
Insert the database with a slash command
Click on an empty line and type /table or /database. A menu will appear showing database options like Table - Inline, Board, Calendar, and Gallery. Select the format you want to start with; you can always add other views later.
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.
Step 4
Add properties to describe each item
Click the + button next to your existing columns 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.
Step 5
Edit property types as needed
Click any property name at the top of a column, select Edit property, then Type to change it. You can switch between text, number, select, date, checkbox, and other formats depending on what the property tracks.
Step 6
Choose or add a view
Click the + next to your current view tab 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. Each view can have its own filters and sort order without changing the underlying data.
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.
Why this matters
You need a way to track tasks, projects, or content that spreadsheets can't organize visually. Once you build a database, you can filter by status, sort by due date, switch between board and calendar views, and click into any item to add notes, files, or subtasks.
Frequently asked questions
Is creating a database free in Notion?
Yes, building and using databases is available on Notion's free plan, including tables, boards, calendars, and galleries with unlimited properties and filters.
What's the difference between an inline and full-page database?
An inline database sits alongside other content on a page, so you can add text or images above and below it. A full-page database takes up the entire page and behaves like its own standalone workspace section.
Can I turn an existing list into a database?
Not directly, but you can create a new database and manually copy items into it, or use the /table command near your list and rebuild entries as database rows with properties.
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