You want to fill multiple rows in a Notion database without typing each value manually. Notion AI Autofill uses artificial intelligence to generate content across selected cells based on a single example or a prompt. This article explains how to enable Notion AI, run Autofill on a database column, and handle common issues when the feature does not behave as expected.
Key Takeaways: Using Notion AI Autofill in a Database
- Notion AI add-on subscription: Required for every workspace member who wants to use Autofill. Without it, the AI features are grayed out.
- Table cell right-click > Autofill: The main entry point. Select a range of cells, then choose AI Autofill from the context menu.
- Review generated content before applying: Notion AI may produce inaccurate or repetitive text. Always check each row and edit manually if needed.
What Is Notion AI Autofill and How It Works
Notion AI Autofill is a feature that generates text, numbers, or dates in database cells based on a pattern you provide. You give the AI a single example by typing a value in one cell, then select a range of empty cells below or beside it. The AI analyzes the example and fills the selected cells with matching content.
The feature works on any database property type that accepts text, including Title, Text, Select, and Multi-select columns. It does not work on Formula, Rollup, or Created Time properties because those are system-generated. Autofill uses the same underlying language model as Notion AI Write and Summarize.
To use Autofill, your workspace must have the Notion AI add-on enabled. The add-on costs $10 per member per month as of 2025. If you see the message “Notion AI is not available,” your workspace administrator has not purchased the add-on or your individual seat has not been assigned.
Steps to Use Notion AI Autofill in a Database
Follow these steps to fill a column in a database table using AI Autofill. The steps assume you already have the Notion AI add-on active.
- Open the database as a table view
Navigate to the page containing your database. Click the database title and select Table from the view menu at the top left. Autofill is only available in the Table layout, not in Board, Gallery, or List views. - Type an example value in the first cell
Click the first empty cell in the column you want to fill. Type a value that represents the pattern you want the AI to follow. For instance, if you are generating product descriptions, write one complete description in the first row. Press Enter to save the cell. - Select the range of cells to fill
Click the cell you just filled. Hold the Shift key and click the last cell in the same column that you want to fill. All cells between the first and last cell will be highlighted. Do not include rows that already have data — the AI will overwrite existing values. - Open the AI Autofill menu
Right-click any of the selected cells. From the context menu, choose AI Autofill. Alternatively, you can click the AI button that appears at the top of the column header when you hover over it, then select Autofill. - Wait for the AI to generate content
Notion AI will process the example and fill all selected cells. This usually takes 2 to 5 seconds depending on the number of rows and the complexity of the pattern. A progress bar appears at the top of the page. Do not click away or edit cells during this time. - Review and edit the generated values
After the AI finishes, each cell shows a small sparkle icon. Click each cell to read the generated text. Edit any inaccuracies manually. If the AI produced repetitive or off-topic content, delete the generated values and try again with a more detailed example. - Apply the changes
The generated text is automatically saved to the database. You do not need to click a separate “Apply” button. To remove the sparkle icon, simply click into the cell and press Enter without making changes.
Using Autofill with a Custom Prompt
Instead of providing an example, you can give the AI a text instruction. Right-click the selected cells and choose AI Autofill with prompt. Type a prompt such as “Write a one-sentence summary of each project” and click Generate. The AI will ignore the example cell and follow the prompt instead. This method works well when you want consistent formatting across rows without a manual example.
Things to Avoid When Using Notion AI Autofill
Autofill Does Not Work on Formula or Rollup Columns
Formula and Rollup properties compute their values automatically. The Autofill option is grayed out when you right-click a cell in these columns. If you need to populate a Formula column, edit the formula itself, not the individual cells.
AI Generates Repetitive or Off-Topic Text
The AI model sometimes produces the same sentence for every row or writes content that does not match the example. This happens most often when the example is too short or too vague. Provide a detailed example with at least 20 words. If the problem persists, use the AI Autofill with prompt option and include specific constraints in the prompt, such as “Use exactly 10 words per row.”
Autofill Overwrites Existing Data Without Warning
When you select a range that includes cells with existing content, the AI overwrites those cells. Notion does not show a confirmation dialog. To undo, press Ctrl+Z immediately after the fill completes. To avoid data loss, select only empty cells or make a duplicate of the database before running Autofill.
Autofill Is Not Available in Board, Gallery, or List Views
Switching to a non-table view hides the Autofill option. If you cannot find the AI Autofill menu, check the view type at the top of the database. Click the view name and change it to Table. Autofill works only when the database is displayed as a table.
Notion AI Autofill vs Manual Data Entry vs Formulas
| Item | AI Autofill | Manual Data Entry | Formula |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fast for many rows | Slow for large datasets | Instant after setup |
| Control over output | Low — AI may produce errors | High — you type each value | High — formula logic is predictable |
| Requires example | Yes, one cell or a prompt | No | No |
| Works on all property types | No, only text-based types | Yes, all types | No, only Formula property |
| Cost | $10 per member per month | Free | Free |
| Best use case | Generating descriptions, summaries, or titles | Entering precise or unique data | Calculating values from other columns |
AI Autofill is best for bulk text generation where perfect accuracy is not required. Manual entry is better for data that must be exact, such as dates, prices, or names. Formulas are the right choice when the output depends on other cells in the same row.
You can now fill multiple rows in a Notion database using AI Autofill by selecting a range and providing a single example or a text prompt. To get the best results, write a detailed example and review every generated cell before using the data. For advanced control, combine Autofill with the AI Autofill with prompt option and include formatting rules like “Use bullet points” or “Keep each row under 50 characters.”