How to create a linked database in Notion

Learn how to create a linked database in Notion to display the same data across multiple pages without duplicating content.

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. Use the view settings to filter, sort, or change the layout.

Steps at a glance

  1. Open the page where you want the linked database to appear
  2. Type /linked and press Enter to start the command
  3. Search for the source database in the popup menu
  4. Select the database from the search results
  5. Choose to copy an existing view or build a new one
  6. Adjust filters and sorts in the view settings
  7. Check the linked view lists the source database's pages

Interactive demo

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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

  1. 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 create a page if you need to set one up first.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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. The popup lists "New table view" plus the existing views on the source database to copy.

  5. Step 5

    Filter and sort the linked view

    Use the filter and sort icons at the top right of the linked database, or open View settings (the sliders icon) and choose Filter or Sort. Your changes apply to the linked view on this page.

  6. 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 create a gallery view for more detail on setting one up.

  7. Step 7

    Verify changes sync correctly

    Add a row in the linked database with New page, then open the source database to check it is listed there. Filters and layout are view settings, so they belong to the view rather than the data.

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 pointed at the same source 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. Notion describes the command as adding a view of an existing data source to the page.

  • Can I add filters to a linked database without affecting the original?

    Yes. Filters, sorts, and layout are set per view in the linked database's view settings, so you can tailor what the linked view shows on this page.

  • Can I link the same database to multiple pages?

    Yes. A database can live on its own page and also be linked from other pages, and each linked view has its own view settings while using 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 [add a relation](/guides/notion/add-a-relation).

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