Notion Forms
A form collects information from other people and saves it directly into a database. Notion builds this feature on top of the database you already use. No separate form tool or manual copying is needed.
Why Forms Matter
Collecting requests through chat messages or scattered emails creates inconsistent, hard-to-track information. A form asks the same structured questions every time. Every response lands in one organized database instead of a messy inbox.
Chat Requests vs Form Submissions
| Method | Data Consistency | Tracking Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Email or chat requests | Low, varies per message | High, manual sorting needed |
| Notion Form | High, same fields every time | Low, auto-organized in a database |
Creating a Form
Open a database and click the View options to add a new Form view. Notion generates a form that mirrors the database properties. Reorder, hide, or mark fields as required directly inside the form builder.
Question Types on a Form
A form question type usually matches its linked database property type. A Select property becomes a dropdown or multiple-choice question. A Date property becomes a date picker, keeping submitted data in the correct format automatically.
Property to Form Field Mapping
| Database Property | Form Field Type |
|---|---|
| Text | Short answer box |
| Select | Dropdown or multiple choice |
| Date | Date picker |
| Checkbox | Yes or no toggle |
Sharing a Form
Click Share on the form view to generate a public link. Send this link to anyone, even people without a Notion account. Each submission creates a new row in your connected database the moment someone submits the form.
Practical Example: Client Intake Form
Build a Clients database with Name, Project Type, and Budget properties. Add a Form view asking new clients to fill in these same fields before a first call. Every submission appears as a ready-to-review row, saving the manual step of typing client details in yourself.
Practical Example: Internal Request Form
Build an IT Requests database with a form for employees to report technical issues. Mark Urgency and Description as required fields so no report arrives incomplete. The support team works directly from the database instead of digging through email threads.
Customizing Form Appearance
Add a cover image and a welcome message to a form to make it feel more polished. Write a short confirmation message that appears after submission. These small touches make external forms feel professional to people outside your workspace.