When you create a Relation property in a Notion database, Notion automatically generates a corresponding Reverse Relation in the linked database. This reverse property shows every connected record from the original database, which can clutter your database layout or confuse team members who only need to see one direction of the link. Many users want to remove this reverse relation without breaking the connection between records. This article explains why the reverse relation appears, how to disable it, and what happens when you do.
Key Takeaways: How to Remove a Reverse Relation in Notion
- Relation property > Delete property: Removing the reverse relation deletes the property column but keeps the connected records intact.
- Rollup properties using the relation: If a Rollup relies on the reverse relation, deleting the reverse property will break the Rollup formula.
- Recreating a relation without reverse: Notion does not offer a toggle to hide the reverse relation — you must delete it after it appears.
Why a Reverse Relation Appears in a Notion Database
Notion creates a reverse relation automatically whenever you add a Relation property to a database. This is not a bug — it is part of Notion’s design to allow bidirectional linking. When you connect a record in Database A to a record in Database B, Notion needs a way to show that connection from the other side. The reverse relation is a mirrored property that appears in the linked database with the same name as the original relation, but with an arrow icon indicating it is the reverse direction.
The reverse relation serves a practical purpose: it lets you view all linked records from the opposite database without creating a second relation manually. However, it also adds a column to the target database that you may not want. Because Notion does not include a built-in toggle to hide or disable the reverse relation, the only way to remove it is to delete the property entirely. Deleting the reverse property does not break the original relation — the links between records remain intact. But any Rollup or formula that references the reverse property will stop working.
Steps to Disable a Reverse Relation in Notion
Follow these steps to remove the reverse relation property from the linked database. You must have edit permissions on both databases involved.
- Open the database that contains the reverse relation
Navigate to the database where the reverse relation property appears. This is the database that was linked to by the original relation. You will see a column with the same name as the original relation, usually with a small arrow icon or a label that says “Reverse” in the property settings. - Click the property name in the header row
Hover over the column header of the reverse relation property. Click the property name to open the property settings menu. This menu shows the property type, its linked database, and options to edit or delete. - Select Delete from the property menu
Scroll to the bottom of the property settings menu and click Delete. Notion will display a confirmation dialog warning that deleting the property will remove it from all records in this database. - Confirm the deletion
Click Delete again in the confirmation dialog. The reverse relation column disappears from the database view. The original relation in the first database remains unchanged, and all record connections stay active. - Verify the original relation still works
Go back to the original database and click into a record that has a relation. The linked record should still appear in the relation field. Click the linked record to open it and confirm that the reverse relation no longer shows a property for the original database.
Alternative Method: Delete from Database Properties Panel
You can also remove the reverse relation from the database properties panel without clicking the column header.
- Open the database properties panel
Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the database view. Select Properties from the dropdown menu. A panel opens listing all properties in the database. - Find the reverse relation property
Scroll through the list until you see the reverse relation property. It will be marked with a type label that says “Relation” and may include the word “Reverse” in parentheses. - Click the three-dot menu next to the property
Hover over the property row and click the three-dot icon that appears on the right. Select Delete from the menu. Confirm the deletion in the dialog.
What Happens After Deleting a Reverse Relation
Deleting a reverse relation is safe for the connection between databases, but it can affect other parts of your workspace. Below are the most common issues and how to handle them.
Rollup Properties Stop Working
If you have a Rollup property in the linked database that pulls data through the reverse relation, that Rollup will break after you delete the reverse property. The Rollup field will show an error or become blank. To fix this, recreate the Rollup using the original relation instead. Open the Rollup property settings, change the Relation field to the original relation (not the reverse one), and re-select the property you want to roll up.
Formula Properties That Reference the Reverse Relation
Formulas that use the prop() function to reference the reverse relation will also break. For example, a formula like prop("Linked Tasks") where “Linked Tasks” is the reverse relation will return an error after deletion. Edit the formula to reference a different property, or recreate the logic using the original relation direction.
Linked Database Views Lose the Column
If you have a linked database view that displays the reverse relation column, that column will disappear from the view after deletion. You do not need to do anything — the view updates automatically. If you want to show the same information again, you can add the original relation property to the linked database view by editing the view properties.
Team Members May Lose Access to Cross-Database Links
After deleting the reverse relation, team members who work in the linked database will no longer see which records from the original database are connected. They can still view the connection by opening the original database and checking the relation property there. If your team needs to see the connection from both sides, consider keeping the reverse relation but renaming it to make its purpose clear.
Notion Relation vs Reverse Relation: Key Differences
| Item | Relation | Reverse Relation |
|---|---|---|
| Created by | User manually adds the property | Notion automatically generates it |
| Location | Original database | Linked database |
| Deletion effect on links | Deleting breaks all connections between records | Deleting does not break connections |
| Can be renamed | Yes, at any time | Yes, but it remains a reverse relation |
| Supports Rollup | Yes, Rollup can reference it | Yes, Rollup can reference it |
| Visible by default | Yes, as a column in the database | Yes, as a column in the linked database |
Disabling a reverse relation in Notion is a straightforward process. You delete the property from the linked database, which removes the column but preserves all record connections. Before deleting, check for any Rollup or formula properties that depend on the reverse relation. If those exist, update them first to avoid broken calculations. For workspaces where team members frequently access data from both database sides, consider renaming the reverse relation instead of deleting it. A clear name like “Linked from Projects” helps everyone understand what the column shows without removing its functionality.