How to Create a Database in Notion for Beginners
Notion allows users to make pages, databases, shareable and collaborative web pages, and much more. One of the most useful features of Notion is Database. A database can be used for storing various types of data and can be easily exported into PDF, HTML, Markdown, and CSV on demand. Here’s how you can create a database in Notion for those who are just beginning.
Steps to Create a Database in Notion
Before we begin with creating a database in Notion, allow me to explain Notion’s approach to the database. In Notion, a table is also a database and so are a timeline, calendar, and board. Notion calls them views. you may create different types of database views that allow you to manipulate data in new and interesting ways. This further helps you draw more meaningful conclusions. In fact, you can view the same database in different views too. Finally, every entry or item that you enter in the database has its own page.
TheNotion team explains database viewsin great detail in their intro video. But first, learn how to make a database in Notion so you know the basic steps, the layout, and how to use the app.
We will create a simple database of books in Notion so we can sort books by name, author, and niche.
1.OpenNotionin your browser andsign into your account using your email id or Google/Apple account.
2.Click on thehamburger menu(3 horizontal lines) in the top left corner.
3.Select+ Add a page.
4.An untitled page will appear in front of you. Select atype of databasefrom the list. For example, let’sselect Table.
5.Click on the+ New database, since we’re going to make a new database from scratch.
6.Click onUntitledand give the database a name. We will name it Books to Read.
7.Click onAdd icon / Add cover / Add descriptionto give it a name and customize it as per needs. Maybe a book cover or author photo?
8.Click on a cell in theName column and type the nameof the item you want in your database and then pressEnter. These can be the names of books under the Name column.
9.Click on theOpenbutton next to a book name which will appear when you move your cursor to the right side of the cell.
10.Click onAdd a propertyin the menu that should fly out from the right side of the screen.
11.Click onTypeand a drop-down menu will appear with a list of properties you can add to your database.
12.Select a type of property. For example, for our book database, let’s chooseSelect.
13.Renamethe property andpress the escapebutton on your keyboard. We will name this property as Author so we can use the Select property (step 12) and sort books by author name.
14.Click onEmptyright next to the property you just renamed.
15.Type an entry for the Property and click onCreate. In our case, it will be the name of the author.
16.Click onClose Button (two forward arrows)orpress the escapebutton on your keyboard to close the Page.
Similarly, you can add more columns to your database like Tags as seen in the screenshot below. Tags can be used to sort books by category or niche. Now finish entering your data inside the database and voila! A beautiful database is ready for your use.
Again, Notion has shared a video of a much morecomplex database with many variablesfor your perusal. It is built to track tasks assigned to different team members and to track progress made.
Customize Notion Database Further
I hope this helped you create your first Notion database. Notion also allows users to copy someone else’s database templates with a single click. We have a list of some of thebest free Notion templatesfor you.
Subham Raj
Subham is a tech enthusiast and a has knack for writing, he also has a deep love for filmmaking. He is currently working as a full-time Technical writer at TechWiser and his roots are from Samastipur, Bihar.
