Quick answer
To use a formula field in Notion, open a database, add a new property, set its type to Formula, then click 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
- Open your database and click the + button to add a property
- Name the property and set its type to Formula
- Click Edit formula to open the formula editor
- Reference other properties using prop() syntax
- Add functions and operators to build your calculation
- Click Done to save and view results in each row
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
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.
Step 2
Add a new property
Click the + icon at the far right of your database's column headers, or open a row and click + Add a property. This creates a new empty property you'll convert into a formula.
Step 3
Name the property and select Formula as its type
Give the property a clear name, like Progress or Days Left, then click the property type dropdown and choose Formula from the list. This switches the property into formula-editing mode.
Step 4
Open the formula editor
Click Edit formula to launch the formula builder. Here you'll see a text box for your expression, a list of available properties, and a searchable menu of built-in functions and operators.
Step 5
Reference properties and build your expression
Type prop("Property Name") to pull in values from other columns, such as dates, numbers, or select options. Combine properties with functions like if(), dateBetween(), format(), or basic math operators to produce the result you want.
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. If the formula field pulls from a related database, make sure you've already set up the connection using a relation property.
Step 7
Save and apply the formula
Click Done to close the editor. 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 for personal workspaces. 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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