You set a database filter to show only items you last edited, but after reloading the page, the filter reverts to showing all items. This happens because the filter uses a dynamic user reference that Notion does not persist across sessions. This article explains the root cause, provides a permanent fix using a custom formula, and covers related issues like shared filters and view duplication.
Key Takeaways: Stop the ‘Last Edited By Me’ Filter From Resetting
- Formula property using
if(lastEditedBy() == "Your Name", true, false): Creates a permanent checkbox that reflects your edits without relying on a transient session filter. - View filter based on that formula checkbox: Replaces the built-in ‘Last Edited By Me’ filter so the view stays locked to your edits even after reload.
- Duplicate the view before changing: Preserves the original view so you can always revert if the formula approach does not fit your workflow.
Why the ‘Last Edited By Me’ Filter Resets
Notion’s built-in filter option ‘Last Edited By Me’ is a dynamic filter that checks the current user session. When you select it, Notion stores the filter as a reference to the logged-in user, not as a static value. On page reload, the session refreshes, and the filter condition is not re-applied because the saved filter state does not include a persistent user identifier.
This behavior is by design. Notion treats ‘Last Edited By Me’ as a temporary filter meant for quick ad-hoc checks, not for permanent views. The same issue occurs with ‘Created By Me’ and ‘Last Edited By’ filters that reference the current user. The filter disappears because the view definition does not store the user name as a string; it stores a session token that expires.
To create a filter that survives reloads, you must replace the dynamic user reference with a static condition. The only way to do this is by adding a formula property that checks the lastEditedBy() function and compares it to your user name. This formula returns a true/false value that you can then use in a standard filter.
Steps to Create a Persistent ‘Edited By Me’ Filter
Follow these steps to build a filter that stays active after reload. You will add a formula property, write the comparison, and set the view filter.
- Open the database and add a Formula property
Navigate to the database where the filter resets. Click the plus icon (+) in the last column header. Select Formula from the property type list. Name the property something like “Edited By Me”. - Find your exact Notion user name
Click your profile picture in the top-right corner of Notion. Select Settings & Members. Under My Account, note the full name displayed. This name must exactly match what you type in the formula. For example, if your name is “Alex Johnson”, write it exactly as shown. - Write the formula to check the last editor
In the formula editor, paste the following code:if(lastEditedBy() == "Alex Johnson", true, false)
Replace “Alex Johnson” with your exact user name. Press Enter to save the formula. The column now shows a checkbox: checked if you were the last editor, unchecked otherwise. - Duplicate the original view as a backup
Before changing the view filter, click the view name at the top of the database. Select Duplicate. This creates a copy of the current view. Name it “Original Backup” so you can return to it if needed. - Add a filter using the new formula property
Click the view name again and select Filter. Click Add a filter. In the property dropdown, choose the formula property you created (“Edited By Me”). Set the condition to is checked. The database now shows only items you last edited. - Test the filter by reloading the page
Press F5 or close and reopen the browser tab. The filter should remain active. If it resets, return to step 3 and verify that the user name in the formula matches your profile name exactly, including spaces and capitalization.
If the Filter Still Resets After the Formula Fix
The formula returns false for all rows
This usually means the user name in the formula does not match your profile name exactly. Go to Settings & Members > My Account and copy your full name. Paste it into the formula inside the quotation marks. Also check for trailing spaces. If your name contains special characters, include them exactly.
The filter disappears when a collaborator opens the view
The formula uses a hard-coded user name. If another person opens the view, the filter still checks for your name, not theirs. To create a similar filter for another user, duplicate the view and change the formula to that user’s name. Alternatively, create a separate view for each collaborator.
The formula column shows an error
The lastEditedBy() function is only available in Notion databases, not in simple tables or inline lists. Convert the table to a full database by clicking the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and selecting Turn into database. If the error persists, check for missing parentheses or quotation marks in the formula.
Built-in Filter vs Formula Filter: Key Differences
| Item | Built-in ‘Last Edited By Me’ | Formula-based filter |
|---|---|---|
| Persistence after reload | Resets | Stays active |
| Works for multiple users | Automatically adapts to each user | Requires separate view per user |
| Setup time | One click | 5–10 minutes |
| Requires database type | Any database | Full database (not inline list) |
| Can be shared in a template | No | Yes, if formula uses a placeholder name |
The formula filter is the only reliable method for a view that always shows your edits. The built-in filter is faster for one-time checks but cannot be saved permanently.
You now have a filter that shows only items you last edited, and it stays active across page reloads. To extend this concept, create a second formula property using lastEditedTime() to show the date of your last edit. This gives you a complete view of your recent changes without relying on session-based filters.