A Notion rollup property is designed to aggregate data from a related database, but sometimes it displays only the page title instead of the expected value. This happens because the rollup is not configured to pull from the correct property or the relation link is broken. This article explains the root cause of this behavior and provides a step-by-step fix to get the rollup showing the right data.
You will learn how to verify the relation, set the correct rollup property, and avoid common setup mistakes. The fix involves checking both the relation and rollup settings in your database.
Key Takeaways: Fixing a Rollup That Shows Only the Page Title
- Rollup property configuration: The rollup must target a specific property in the related database, not the default page title.
- Relation column: A broken or missing relation between the two databases causes the rollup to fall back to showing the page title.
- Rollup > Relation > Property path: Open the rollup settings and select the correct relation and property to display the desired value.
Why a Notion Rollup Shows the Page Title Instead of the Expected Value
A rollup property in Notion works by pulling data from a related database through a relation column. The relation column links a row in the current database to a row in the target database. The rollup then reads a specific property from that linked row. When the rollup shows the page title only, it means the rollup is not reading a specific property — it is reading the page name by default.
This occurs in two scenarios. First, the rollup property may not have a property selected under the “Property” field in its settings. Second, the relation column may be empty or incorrectly configured, causing the rollup to have no data to aggregate so it defaults to the linked page’s title.
The Rollup Property Settings
When you create a rollup, you must choose both a relation and a property. The relation tells Notion which linked database to look at. The property tells Notion which column from that linked database to display. If you leave the property field blank, Notion automatically shows the page title of the linked row.
The Relation Column
The relation column must have at least one link to a page in the target database. If no link exists, the rollup shows nothing. If the relation is set to allow multiple links, the rollup may show the title of the first linked page if no property is specified.
Steps to Fix a Rollup That Shows Only the Page Title
Follow these steps to correct the rollup property. You will need edit access to the database containing the rollup.
- Open the database with the rollup
Navigate to the database that contains the rollup property. This is the database where you see the page title instead of the expected value. - Locate the rollup column header
Find the column with the rollup property. Click the column header to open the property settings menu. - Click “Edit property”
In the dropdown menu, select “Edit property” to open the property configuration panel. This panel shows the rollup settings. - Check the “Relation” field
Make sure the correct relation is selected. The relation should point to the database that contains the data you want to display. If the relation is missing, you need to create a relation property first. - Select the correct “Property”
Under the “Property” dropdown, choose the specific column from the related database that you want to display. For example, if you need a numeric value, select the number property. Do not leave this field blank. - Choose the aggregation method
If the relation links to multiple rows, select an aggregation method like “Show original,” “Sum,” “Average,” “Count,” or “Max.” For a single linked row, “Show original” works best. - Click “Done” or “Save”
Confirm the changes. The rollup column should now display the correct values from the chosen property.
If the Rollup Still Shows the Page Title After the Main Fix
If you completed the steps above and the rollup still shows the page title, the issue is likely in the relation column itself. The following scenarios explain additional causes and fixes.
The Relation Column Is Empty
A relation column with no links cannot provide data to the rollup. Open the page in the current database, click the relation cell, and link it to the correct page in the target database. After linking, the rollup will populate with the selected property value.
The Relation Links to the Wrong Database
If the relation points to a database that does not contain the property you selected, the rollup will show the page title. Edit the relation property and select the correct target database. Then update the rollup property to match.
The Selected Property Was Deleted or Renamed
If the property in the related database was deleted or renamed after the rollup was created, the rollup may break and show the page title. Go to the related database, check that the property still exists with the exact name, and then reopen the rollup settings to reselect it.
Notion Rollup vs Formula: Key Differences
| Item | Rollup | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Data source | Reads from a related database through a relation | Calculates from properties within the same database |
| Dependency | Requires a relation column to exist and be populated | No external relation needed |
| Output options | Text, numbers, dates, checkboxes, and aggregated values | Text, numbers, dates, and logical results |
| Common failure | Shows page title if property is not selected | Shows error if syntax is wrong or property is missing |
A rollup is ideal when you need to display data from a linked database. A formula is better for calculations or transformations within the same row. If your rollup consistently shows page titles, consider using a formula with a relation function like prop("Relation Name").prop("Property Name") as an alternative.
Conclusion
You can now fix a Notion rollup that shows only the page title by checking the relation and property settings. Open the rollup property editor, select the correct relation, and choose the specific property you want to display. If the problem persists, verify that the relation column has a link and that the target property still exists. For complex aggregations, use the Sum or Count aggregation methods in the rollup settings. As an advanced tip, you can create a formula property that uses the prop() function to pull data from a relation without relying on a rollup at all.