You want specific rows in your Notion database to stay visible at the top of a view even after sorting, filtering, or scrolling. Notion’s database pin feature lets you lock individual rows so they remain pinned above all other data in that view. This article explains how the pin feature works, how to pin and unpin rows, and what limitations to expect when using pinned rows in different database views.
Key Takeaways: Pinning Rows to the Top of a Notion Database View
- Row context menu > Pin: Pins the selected row to the top of the current database view, overriding sort and filter rules.
- Row context menu > Unpin: Removes the pin and returns the row to its natural sort position in the view.
- Pinned rows appear above all other rows: They form a separate section at the top of the view and are not affected by column sorting or view filters.
What the Notion Database Pin Feature Does and Why It Matters
The pin feature in Notion databases allows you to force one or more rows to remain at the top of a specific view regardless of how you sort or filter the rest of the rows. This is useful when you have high-priority tasks, urgent deadlines, or key reference entries that must never be buried under other data.
Pins are view-specific. If you pin a row in a table view, it stays pinned only in that table view. Switching to a calendar view, board view, or another table view with different settings will not show the pin unless you pin the row in that view separately.
The pin feature is available on all Notion plans, including Free, Plus, Business, and Enterprise. No special permissions are required beyond at least Can Edit access to the database.
Pinned rows behave differently depending on the database view type. In table and list views, pinned rows appear above all other rows. In board views, pinned rows appear at the top of each column group. In gallery and calendar views, the pin feature is not available.
Steps to Pin and Unpin Rows in a Notion Database
Follow these steps to pin a row in a table or list view. The same steps apply to board views.
- Open the database view where you want to pin a row
Navigate to the Notion page that contains your database. Make sure you are viewing the database in a table, list, or board view. The pin feature is not available in gallery, calendar, or timeline views. - Locate the row you want to pin
Scroll or search to find the specific row. You can pin any row, including rows that are currently hidden by a filter. Pinning a filtered row will force it to appear at the top even if the filter would normally hide it. - Open the row context menu
Click the six-dot icon that appears to the left of the row name when you hover over the row. If you are using a board view, click the six-dot icon that appears at the top of the card when you hover over it. - Select the Pin option
From the context menu, click Pin. The row immediately jumps to the top of the view. A small pin icon appears next to the row name to indicate it is pinned. - Unpin a row when needed
Open the same context menu for the pinned row and click Unpin. The row returns to its default position based on the current sort and filter settings of the view.
You can pin multiple rows in the same view. Pinned rows appear in the order they were pinned, with the most recently pinned row at the very top. You cannot manually reorder pinned rows within the pinned section. To change the order, unpin all rows and then pin them again in the desired sequence.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Using Pinned Rows
Pinned rows disappear after switching views
Pins are view-specific. If you pin a row in a table view named “Priority Tasks,” that pin does not carry over to a board view named “Kanban.” You must pin the row again in each view where you want it to stay at the top. This is by design and not a bug.
Pinning does not work in gallery, calendar, or timeline views
The Pin option does not appear in the context menu for these view types. If you need a row to remain visible in a calendar view, consider using a filter that shows only that row, or add a checkbox property and filter for checked rows.
Pinned rows ignore filters and sorts
A pinned row appears at the top even if it does not match the current filter criteria. This can confuse other collaborators who may not expect to see a row that should be hidden. To avoid confusion, use pinned rows sparingly and communicate with your team about which rows are pinned.
Cannot pin rows in a linked database view
Linked database views inherit the pins from the source database view. You cannot create a separate pin in a linked view unless you first unpin the row in the source view. If you need different pins for different linked views, create a separate database view in the source database and link to that view instead.
Notion Database View Types: Pin Support and Behavior Compared
| View Type | Pin Supported | Behavior of Pinned Rows |
|---|---|---|
| Table | Yes | Pinned rows appear above all other rows in a separate section at the top |
| List | Yes | Pinned rows appear at the top of the list, above all other items |
| Board | Yes | Pinned rows appear at the top of each column group within the board |
| Gallery | No | Not available |
| Calendar | No | Not available |
| Timeline | No | Not available |
The pin feature is most effective in table and list views where you need to keep critical rows visible at all times. In board views, pinned rows appear at the top of each column, which can be helpful for highlighting priority items across all stages of a workflow.
Now you can use the pin feature to keep important rows sticky at the top of your Notion database views. Try pinning your top three priority tasks in a table view to see how the pinned section stays above all sorting and filtering. For advanced use, combine pinned rows with a formula property that flags high-priority items so you can quickly identify which rows to pin.