You want to build a structured data system inside Notion but are not sure how to start. A database in Notion is a powerful table that lets you store, sort, filter, and relate information like tasks, projects, or contacts. This article explains the exact steps to create a brand-new database from scratch, choose the right view, and customize its properties. You will learn how to add rows, columns, and set up a basic workflow without any templates.
Key Takeaways: Creating a Notion Database From Scratch
- New Database button on any page: Starts a blank database with a default Table view.
- Properties like Text, Select, Date, and Relation: Define the structure and data types for each column.
- Views such as Table, Board, and Calendar: Present the same data in different layouts without changing the underlying database.
What a Notion Database Is and What You Need Before Creating One
A Notion database is a collection of pages that share the same set of properties. Each row is a page, and each column is a property that stores a specific type of information such as text, a date, a checkbox, or a link to another database. Unlike a simple table in a word processor, a Notion database supports sorting, filtering, grouping, and multiple views. You can switch between Table, Board, Calendar, Gallery, List, and Timeline views to see your data in different ways without altering the original structure.
Before you start, you need a Notion account and at least one workspace. You can use the free plan to create databases with unlimited pages and up to 5 guest collaborators. The database lives on a page, so you must be able to create or edit a page. No special permissions are required unless you are working in a shared workspace where the owner has restricted page creation. You can create a database directly inside an existing page or as a new standalone page.
Types of Data You Can Store in a Notion Database
A Notion database can hold any structured data: project tasks, client contacts, inventory items, meeting notes, bookmarks, or a personal habit tracker. The flexibility comes from the property types. You can add a Select property for status labels, a Date property for deadlines, a Relation property to connect two databases, and a Formula property to compute values automatically. Understanding these property types before you build helps you design a database that does not need major rework later.
Steps to Create a Notion Database From Scratch
The following steps guide you through creating a blank database on a page, adding properties, populating rows, and switching to a different view. All actions take place inside the Notion app or web version.
- Open a page where you want the database
Navigate to any existing page in your workspace or create a new page by clicking + New Page in the left sidebar. The page can be empty or already contain other content. The database will appear as a block below any existing content. - Type /database and select Database – Inline or Full Page
On the blank line of the page, type a forward slash / followed by the word database. A menu appears with two options: Database – Inline and Database – Full Page. Choose Database – Inline to embed the database inside the current page. Choose Database – Full Page to create a new page that is entirely the database. For this guide, select Database – Inline. - Name the database and give it a title
After you select the option, Notion creates a blank table with one row and a few default columns. At the top of the database block, click the text Untitled and type a name for your database, such as Project Tasks or Client Directory. This name appears in the page and in any linked database references. - Add properties to define your columns
Each column in the table is a property. The first column is always the Name property, which is the title of each page. To add a new property, click the + button in the header row to the right of the last column. A dropdown menu appears. Type a name for the property, such as Status or Due Date. Then click the property type (shown below the name) and select from the list: Text, Number, Select, Multi-select, Date, Person, Files & Media, Checkbox, URL, Email, Phone, Formula, Relation, Rollup, Created Time, Created By, Last Edited Time, and Last Edited By. Repeat this step for each column you need. - Configure Select and Multi-select options
If you added a Select or Multi-select property, click on any cell in that column. A dropdown appears with an Add an option field. Type a label such as Not Started and press Enter. Repeat to add options like In Progress and Complete. You can also change the color of each option by clicking the color dot next to the label. - Populate the first row with data
Click the first cell in the Name column and type the title of your first item, for example Design homepage. Press Tab to move to the next property cell. Fill in the corresponding value. If the property is a Date, click the cell and select a date from the calendar. If the property is a Checkbox, click the box to check it. Continue filling each cell for that row. - Add more rows
Click the + New button at the bottom of the database or press the Down Arrow key while in the last row to add a new blank row. Fill in the data as described in the previous step. You can also duplicate an existing row by hovering over the row handle (the six dots on the left) and clicking the duplicate icon. - Change the view to see your data differently
By default, the database shows a Table view. To add a new view, click the + Add a view tab next to the current view name. A dialog box appears. Type a name for the view, such as Kanban Board. Then select a view type from the list: Table, Board, Calendar, Gallery, List, or Timeline. Click Create. The new view opens, showing the same data in the selected layout. You can switch between views by clicking their tabs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating a Notion Database
Using Too Many Property Types Without Planning
A common mistake is adding properties on the fly without thinking about the data structure. For example, using a Text property for a status field instead of a Select property makes it impossible to filter or group by status later. Plan your columns before you build. Write down the data you need to track and choose the matching property type for each column. If you are unsure, start with fewer properties and add more as you use the database.
Creating a Database Inside a Template Without Understanding the Source
Notion offers many pre-built templates that include databases. If you duplicate a template, you get a database that is linked to the original template’s structure. Changing the properties in a duplicated template does not affect the original, but you might inherit unnecessary properties or views. To avoid confusion, start with a blank database as described in this guide. You can always import data later from a spreadsheet or another database.
Forgetting to Name Properties Clearly
Property names appear in views, formulas, and relation menus. Vague names like Field1 or Info make the database hard to use. Use descriptive names that match the data. For example, use Task Name instead of Name if the database contains tasks, or use Client Company instead of Company if you have multiple databases with similar fields.
Notion Database Types: Inline vs Full Page Compared
| Item | Inline Database | Full Page Database |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Embedded inside an existing page | Occupies its own dedicated page |
| Use case | When the database is part of a larger page with other content | When the database is the main content of the page |
| Navigation | Stays within the parent page | Appears as a separate page in the sidebar |
| Customization | Same views and properties as full page | Same views and properties as inline |
| Sharing | Shares the parent page’s permissions | Can have its own share settings independent of other pages |
You now know how to create a Notion database from scratch, add properties, populate rows, and switch views. Start by building a simple task tracker with a Select property for status and a Date property for deadlines. After the basic database works, try adding a Relation to connect it to another database for cross-referencing. Use the Calendar view to see tasks by due date at a glance.