Quick answer
Type /linked on any page, press Enter, then search for and select the database you want to link. Notion inserts a live view of that database's data source—choose to copy an existing view or create a new one. Edits made in the linked view sync back to the original database instantly.
Steps at a glance
- Open the page where you want the linked database to appear
- Type /linked and press Enter to start the command
- Search for the source database in the popup menu
- Select the database from the search results
- Choose to copy an existing view or build a new one
- Adjust filters and sorts using the three-dot menu
- Confirm entries update on both the original and linked view
Summary
A linked database lets you display the pages from an existing Notion database on a completely different page, without copying or duplicating any data. It's the go-to method for surfacing the same tasks, contacts, or projects in multiple contexts, like showing a filtered task list on a team dashboard and a project page at the same time.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Open the destination page
Navigate to the page where you want the linked database to appear. This can be an existing page or a brand-new one you've just created — see /guides/notion/create-a-page if you need to set one up first.
Step 2
Trigger the linked database command
Click into an empty line on the page and type /linked, then press Enter. Notion opens a search popup asking you to find the database you want to reference.
Step 3
Search for and select the source database
Start typing the name of the database you want to link. Notion shows matching results as you type — click the correct one from the list to select it.
Step 4
Choose a view for the linked database
You'll be prompted to either copy an existing view from the original database or start with a new one. Copying a view keeps any existing filters and sorts, while starting fresh gives you a blank view to customize.
Step 5
Filter and sort the linked view
Click the three-dot menu at the top right of the linked database to add filters, sorts, or change the layout. These adjustments only affect this linked instance, not the original database or its other views.
Step 6
Customize the display
Switch between table, board, gallery, list, or calendar layouts depending on what fits the page best. If you want a visual grid layout, check out /guides/notion/create-a-gallery-view for more detail on setting one up.
Step 7
Verify changes sync correctly
Add or edit an entry in the linked database and confirm it also updates in the original source. This two-way sync confirms the link is working — only the view settings stay local to each instance.
Why this matters
You're building a workspace where the same tasks or contacts need to show up in more than one place—like a personal dashboard and a team hub. Creating a linked database saves you from manually copying entries, keeping every view synced automatically whenever someone updates the original data.
Frequently asked questions
Does a linked database duplicate the data?
No. A linked database only displays a view of the original data source's pages — it doesn't create copies. Any edits, additions, or deletions made in either the linked view or the original database apply to the same underlying pages.
Can I add filters to a linked database without affecting the original?
Yes. Filters, sorts, and layout choices you apply to a linked database only affect that specific instance. The original database and any other linked views remain unaffected by these changes.
Can I link the same database to multiple pages?
Yes, you can create as many linked instances of a database as you need across different pages. Each instance can have its own independent filters and view type while still pulling from the same source data.
What's the difference between a linked database and a relation?
A linked database shows the same set of pages in a new location, while a relation connects individual pages between two different databases. If you want to connect related records instead of displaying the same list elsewhere, see /guides/notion/add-a-relation.
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