Notion Properties
A property is a column in a Notion database. Each property holds a specific type of information about an entry. Choosing the right property type keeps your data accurate and easy to filter.
Common Property Types
| Property Type | Stores | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Text | Free-form words | Project description |
| Number | Numeric values | Budget amount |
| Select | One choice from a list | Priority level |
| Multi-select | Several choices from a list | Tags |
| Date | A calendar date | Due date |
| Checkbox | True or false | Completed |
| Person | A workspace member | Assigned to |
| Files | Uploaded documents | Contract copy |
| URL | A web address | Client website |
| An email address | Contact email | |
| Phone | A phone number | Contact number |
Adding a Property
Click the plus icon at the far right of the column headers. Name the new property and pick its type from the list. The new column appears immediately for every entry, ready to fill in.
Select vs Multi-select
A Select property allows only one tag per entry, such as one status. A Multi-select property allows several tags per entry, such as multiple skills. Choosing the wrong type early can force you to redo your data later, so think about whether an entry could ever need more than one value.
Select vs Multi-select Example
| Property | Type | Entry Example |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Select | In Progress |
| Skills Needed | Multi-select | Design, Writing, Coding |
Editing Property Options
Click a Select or Multi-select column header and choose Edit Property. Add, rename, or remove option tags from this menu. Deleting an option also removes it from every entry that used it, so double-check before removing a tag that is already in wide use.
Hiding Properties
Not every property needs to show in every view. Click the view settings and toggle a property off to hide its column. Hidden properties still store their data in the background and remain fully searchable and filterable.
System Properties
Notion automatically tracks certain details without you adding them manually. Created Time records when an entry was made. Last Edited Time records the most recent change. These system properties help audit activity across a shared database without relying on manual notes.
Manual vs System Properties
| Property | Type | Who Fills It In |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Manual | Team member |
| Last Edited Time | System | Notion automatically |
Required Fields
Notion does not force any property to be filled in. Teams often agree on a manual rule, such as always filling in Status before marking a task active. Missing data can break filters, so consistent entry habits matter more than any built-in enforcement.