Notion databases do not have a built-in pin feature like email inboxes or project boards. When you need a specific row to always appear at the top of a view, you must use sorting and property-based workarounds. This article explains how to create a manual pin column and configure a sort rule so that certain rows stay above others regardless of other filters or groupings.
The method works by adding a checkbox or select property that marks a row as pinned, then sorting the view by that property in descending order. This technique gives you full control over which rows appear first in any database view, including table, board, and list layouts.
You do not need any third-party integrations or advanced formulas. The steps below work for all Notion plans, including Free, Plus, Business, and Enterprise.
Key Takeaways: Pinning Rows in a Notion Database
- Add a Checkbox or Select property named Pin: Acts as the flag that determines which rows stay at the top of the view.
- Database sort rule on the Pin property descending: Checked or selected rows appear above unchecked rows in every view.
- Save view as a new saved view: Prevents the pin sort from overriding other sort preferences used by your team.
How the Pin Property and Sort Rule Work Together
Notion sorts rows based on property values. When you create a sort rule that places checked items first, any row with the Pin checkbox enabled will rise to the top of the view. This works because a checkbox property stores a boolean value — true or false. Sorting by that property in descending order puts true values before false values.
The same logic applies to a Select property. You can create a select option named Pinned and sort by that property with Pinned first. This method is useful when you want multiple pin levels, such as High Priority, Pinned, and Normal.
The sort rule applies only to the current view. If you have multiple views in the same database, you must configure the sort separately for each view. This gives you the flexibility to pin different rows in different views without affecting the original data.
Steps to Add a Pin Column and Sort Rows to the Top
- Open the database view
Navigate to the Notion page that contains your database. Click anywhere inside the database to select it. Make sure you are in the view where you want the pin to appear. - Add a Checkbox property
Click the plus sign at the rightmost end of the database header row. In the property menu, type Pin and select Checkbox from the property type list. A new column appears with empty checkboxes for every row. - Check the rows you want to pin
Click the checkbox in the Pin column for each row that should stay at the top. Checked rows will be flagged as pinned. Leave unchecked rows unpinned. - Open the Sort menu
Click the three-dot menu at the top-right corner of the database. Select Sort from the dropdown menu. A sort panel opens on the right side of the screen. - Add a sort rule for the Pin property
Click the Add a sort button. In the property dropdown, select Pin. In the direction dropdown, choose Descending. The view immediately reorders so that checked rows appear at the top. - Save the view
Click the view name dropdown at the top of the database. Select Save as to create a new saved view. Name it Pinned View or something similar. This preserves the pin sort without changing other views.
Common Mistakes and Limitations
Sort rule disappears after adding a filter
Filters and sorts are independent settings. Adding a filter does not remove the sort rule. If the sort disappears, you may have switched to a different view that does not have the sort configured. Check the view name at the top of the database and reapply the sort if needed.
Pinned rows do not stay at the top in a board view
Board views group rows by a selected property. Within each group, the sort rule still applies. Rows with the Pin checkbox checked will appear at the top of each column. If you want pinned rows to appear above all groups, you must use a table or list view instead.
Multiple pinned rows appear in random order among themselves
When more than one row is pinned, Notion sorts the pinned rows by the next sort rule in the list. Add a second sort rule, such as by Created time descending, to control the order of pinned rows. Click Add a sort again and select Created time, then set direction to Descending.
Pin column shows in unwanted views
Properties added to a database appear in every view. To hide the Pin column in a specific view, click the property name at the top of the column and select Hide column. The property data remains intact, but the column is no longer visible.
| Item | Checkbox Property | Select Property |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | 30 seconds | 45 seconds |
| Pin levels | One level (checked vs unchecked) | Multiple levels (e.g. Pinned, High Priority) |
| Sort direction | Descending for checked first | Custom order in sort menu |
| Visual indicator | Checkbox icon | Colored tag |
| Best use case | Simple yes/no pinning | Priority-based pinning with categories |
You can now pin any row to the top of your Notion database by adding a Pin property and configuring a descending sort rule. To keep the pin sort separate from other views, save the configuration as a new saved view. For databases with many pinned rows, add a secondary sort rule by Created time or another property to control the order among pinned items.