Table of Contents
Introduction
Notion is a versatile productivity app that allows users to organize information and collaborate with teams. One of its most powerful features is databases – customizable collections of pages that can be displayed as tables, boards, calendars, and more.
Databases are the backbone of any robust Notion workspace. They allow you to structure information in a flexible way, set up relations between data, and create customized views for different purposes.
In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to create and develop a new database from scratch in Notion.
Creating a New Database
Creating a database in Notion is simple. Here are the basic steps:
- Click the + New page button – This opens up options for new pages you can create.
- Select the database type – Notion offers Table, Board, List, Gallery, Timeline and Calendar as database layout options. Choose the one that fits your needs.
- Name the database – Give your database a name that reflects its purpose at the top.
- Add your first column – This will be the page names/titles column. Name it appropriately.
- Add more columns as needed – These will be your database properties. Name them and select the appropriate property type like Text, Number, Select, etc.
That’s it! You’ve created your first database. Now you can start entering items and developing it further.
Developing Your Database
Here are some key steps to develop your new database:
Add Important Properties
Properties allow you to tag and organize information in your database. Make sure to include relevant properties:
- Tags – Useful for categorizing items
- Status – Track progress
- Assignee – Assign tasks
- Date – Capture deadlines
- Priority – Highlight urgent tasks
Create Views
Views allow you to display your database content in different layouts like table, calendar, timeline etc. Create views that are helpful for your workflow.
Some examples:
- Calendar view for deadlines
- Table view for task manager
- Gallery view for design mockups
Apply Filters
Use filters to only show relevant items based on criteria. This keeps things clean and focused.
Some ideas:
- Filter by tags
- Filter by assignee
- Filter by priority
Add Formulas
Formulas help calculate values automatically.
Some useful formulas:
- Progress bar based on status
- Days left based on deadline
- Task count by assignee
Link to Other Databases
You can connect databases inside Notion using linked databases or relations. This gives you the full picture.
Examples:
- Link projects to tasks
- Link events to notes
- Link employees to performance reviews
Best Practices
Follow these best practices when creating and developing a database in Notion:
- Add a cover page – Include a cover explaining the purpose and structure at the top.
- Document as you go – Capture notes and learnings throughout the process.
- Get feedback – Ask teammates to review and provide input.
- Iterate – Continue to refine as needs change. Databases evolve over time.
Conclusion
With this comprehensive guide, you have all the building blocks needed to create flexible, powerful databases in Notion from scratch.
The key is to start simple but structure it properly. Name things clearly. Add only relevant properties and views tailored to your workflow.
As you enter more data and collaborate with your team, you will continue to gain more insights to develop your databases further.
Notion’s databases are incredibly versatile and customizable – so unlock your productivity by developing databases that perfectly fit your needs!
