Notion displays dates in a default format based on your workspace language and region settings. When you create a new page or add a date property, Notion applies this default format automatically. If your team works across different time zones or prefers a specific date style like DD/MM/YYYY instead of MM/DD/YYYY, the workspace default must be changed at the workspace level. This article explains how to set the default date format for all pages in a Notion workspace, covering the required steps and the limitations of this setting.
Key Takeaways: Setting the Notion Workspace Date Format
- Settings & Members > Settings > Language & Region: Change the date format for the entire workspace. All new pages and database date properties use this format.
- Workspace-level setting only: The date format applies to all members. Individuals cannot override it on their own pages unless they use a formula or a custom property.
- Existing pages are not retroactively changed: Only newly created pages and new date properties adopt the new format. Old pages keep their original date display.
How Notion Determines the Default Date Format
Notion uses the workspace language and region settings to decide how dates appear in page headers, database date properties, and calendar views. The default format is derived from the locale you select, such as English (United States) for MM/DD/YYYY or English (United Kingdom) for DD/MM/YYYY. This setting is stored at the workspace level, not per account or per page. When you invite a new member, they inherit the workspace date format automatically. Changing the format does not affect dates already written in text blocks or formula outputs that use explicit formatting functions.
The date format setting is located under Language & Region in the workspace settings. It controls the display of the date picker, the date property in databases, and the date shown at the top of a page. If your team works with clients in Europe or Asia, setting the correct default prevents confusion when reading deadlines or milestones.
Steps to Change the Default Date Format for the Entire Workspace
Only workspace owners and admins can change the workspace date format. If you are a member without admin rights, ask your workspace owner to perform these steps.
- Open Settings & Members
Click the gear icon in the left sidebar. If you are on a page, click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Settings & Members. - Navigate to Language & Region
In the left panel, click Settings. Then click the Language & Region tab in the main area. - Select the desired date format
Under Date Format, click the dropdown menu. Choose one of the available formats: MM/DD/YYYY, DD/MM/YYYY, YYYY/MM/DD, or a custom pattern. The preview shows how dates will appear. - Confirm the change
Click Save. The workspace date format updates immediately. All members see the new format on newly created pages and new database date properties.
After saving, ask your team to refresh their Notion app or browser tab to ensure the change takes effect. The date format applies to the web app, desktop app, and mobile app.
Common Issues and Limitations with Workspace Date Format
Existing Pages Still Show the Old Date Format
The workspace date format only applies to new pages created after the change. Pages that already exist keep the date format that was active when they were created. To update an existing page, you must manually edit the date property or use a formula to reformat the date. For database date properties, you can add a formula column that uses the format() function to display the date in a specific pattern, but this overrides the workspace default for that column only.
Date Format Does Not Apply to Embedded Content or Third-Party Integrations
Notion’s date format setting does not control how dates appear in embedded content like Google Calendar, Figma, or other tools. Those services have their own date formatting. Additionally, third-party integrations that sync data into Notion may send dates in a different format. The integration developer decides the date format, not the workspace setting.
Members Cannot Override the Workspace Date Format Individually
There is no per-user date format setting in Notion. All members see the same workspace date format. If a member prefers a different format, they must rely on a browser extension or manually reformat dates in their own notes. Notion does not support user-level locale overrides.
Notion Date Format Options Compared
| Format | Example Display | Common Region |
|---|---|---|
| MM/DD/YYYY | 04/15/2025 | United States |
| DD/MM/YYYY | 15/04/2025 | United Kingdom, Australia, Europe |
| YYYY/MM/DD | 2025/04/15 | Japan, China, ISO standard |
Choose the format that matches your team’s primary audience. If your workspace serves multiple regions, consider using YYYY/MM/DD because it is unambiguous and sorts correctly in text-based views.
You can now set the default date format for all pages in your Notion workspace. After changing the setting, new pages and database date properties will display dates in the chosen format. For existing pages, use a formula column with the format() function to standardize date display across your databases. Remember that the workspace date format cannot be overridden per user, so coordinate with your team before making the change.