How to use a formula field in Notion

Learn how to add a formula field in Notion, write expressions with properties and functions, and automate database calculations.

Quick answer

To use a formula field in Notion, open a database, add a new property, choose Formula as its type, then open Edit property > Edit formula to build an expression using properties, functions, and operators. Formulas calculate values automatically—like due dates, progress percentages, or text combinations—based on other columns in your database.

Steps at a glance

  1. Open your database and click + at the right of the column headers
  2. Type a name and choose Formula in the Select type list
  3. Open the column menu, then Edit property > Edit formula
  4. Click a property in the Properties list, or type prop("Name"), to reference it
  5. Add functions and operators to build your calculation
  6. Close the editor with X to save and see results in each row

Interactive demo

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Summary

A formula field in Notion lets you calculate values automatically from other properties in a database, such as combining text, computing dates, or tracking progress. Instead of manually updating numbers or statuses, formulas keep your data current every time an underlying property changes.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Step 1

    Open the database you want to edit

    Navigate to any full-page or inline database in your workspace. If you haven't set one up yet, follow the steps to create a database first, since a formula property needs existing properties to reference.

  2. Step 2

    Add a new property

    Click the + icon at the far right of your database's column headers. This opens the new-property menu, where you'll choose Formula.

  3. Step 3

    Name the property and select Formula as its type

    Give the property a clear name, like Total cost, then scroll the Select type list and choose Formula. Notion adds an empty Formula column.

  4. Step 4

    Open the formula editor

    Click the Total cost column header, then Edit property > Edit formula. The editor shows an AI prompt box, a formula field, a Preview with row, and Properties and Built-ins lists.

  5. Step 5

    Reference properties and build your expression

    Click a property in the Properties list, or type prop("Quantity"), to pull in values from other columns. Notion shows each one as a chip. Combine properties with built-in functions or operators such as * to get the result you want.

  6. Step 6

    Preview and adjust the formula

    Notion shows a live preview of the output as you type, so you can catch errors before saving.

  7. Step 7

    Save and apply the formula

    Close the editor with the X button. The formula runs immediately across every row in the database and recalculates automatically whenever a referenced property changes.

Why this matters

You're managing a project tracker and manually updating status labels, due dates, or completion percentages every time something changes. A formula field does that math for you automatically, so your database stays accurate without constant upkeep — especially useful once you've built out a task tracker or kanban board with multiple linked properties.

Frequently asked questions

  • Do I need a paid Notion plan to use formula fields?

    No, formula properties are available on Notion's free plan. You can add and edit formulas in any database without upgrading.

  • Can a formula reference a property from a different database?

    Not directly. You first need to connect the databases with a relation property, then use a rollup property to pull the related value in before referencing it in your formula.

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

    A formula calculates a value using properties within the same row, while a rollup aggregates values from a linked database through a relation, such as summing numbers across related tasks.

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