Quick answer
To use a rollup field in Notion, first create a relation property linking two databases, then add a new property, set its type to Rollup, choose the related database, select the property to summarize, and pick a calculation like Sum, Average, or Count to display aggregated data automatically.
Steps at a glance
- Create a relation property connecting two databases
- Add a new property and set its type to Rollup
- Select the relation you want to pull data from
- Choose the property to summarize from the related database
- Pick a calculation type like Sum, Count, or Average
- Adjust formatting or number precision if needed
- Use the rollup value to filter, sort, or track progress
Summary
A rollup field in Notion pulls a property from a linked database into your current database so you can summarize related data without manual entry. It's commonly used to total costs, count linked tasks, or show the status of related items at a glance.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Set up a relation property first
Rollups depend on an existing relation, so open your database and add a relation property that connects it to another database. If you haven't done this yet, follow the steps to add a relation before continuing, since the rollup field pulls its data through this connection.
Step 2
Add a new property
In your database, click the plus icon at the far right of the column headers, or open a page and click Add a property. Give the new property a name that describes what it will summarize, such as Total Hours or Task Count.
Step 3
Set the property type to Rollup
Click the property you just created, then choose Edit property. In the Type dropdown, select Rollup from the list of property types.
Step 4
Choose the relation to pull from
Under Relation, select the relation property you set up earlier. This tells Notion which linked database to pull information from for this rollup.
Step 5
Select the property to summarize
Under Property, pick the specific field from the related database you want to display, such as a status, number, or date field. This is the raw value the rollup will aggregate or show.
Step 6
Pick a calculation
Under Calculate, choose how Notion should combine the values, such as Sum, Average, Count All, Show Original, or Percent Complete. The right choice depends on the property type; number fields support math calculations while text or status fields typically use Show Original or count options.
Step 7
Review the rollup in your view
Close the property settings and check that the values appear correctly in your table, board, or gallery view. You can filter or sort by this rollup field the same way you would with any other property, and it works well alongside a linked database view.
Why this matters
You're managing a project database where each item links to dozens of tasks, and you need to see total hours logged or how many tasks are still open without opening every page. A rollup field surfaces that data automatically, keeping your database accurate as related items change.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a relation and a rollup field?
A relation connects pages between two databases so they reference each other. A rollup uses that connection to pull and summarize a specific property from the related pages, such as totaling numbers or counting linked items.
Can I edit a rollup value directly?
No, rollup values are calculated automatically and can't be typed into directly. To change the displayed value, update the source property in the related database instead.
Can a rollup pull from more than one relation?
Each rollup property connects to a single relation and property at a time. To summarize multiple relations, create separate rollup properties for each one.
Does the rollup update automatically when data changes?
Yes, rollup values refresh automatically whenever the linked property in the related database is updated, so you always see current totals or counts.
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