Notion Rollups
A rollup pulls information from a related database into the current one. It works together with a relation property. A rollup can count, sum, or list values from linked entries.
How a Rollup Works
Picture a project database linked to a task database through a relation. A rollup on the project entry can count how many tasks are linked to it. It updates automatically as tasks get added or removed, with no manual recalculation needed.
Rollup Example
| Project | Linked Tasks | Rollup: Task Count |
|---|---|---|
| Website Redesign | Design homepage, Write copy, Test site | 3 |
Creating a Rollup Property
Add a new property and select Rollup as the type. Choose the relation property to pull data through. Select which property from the linked database you want to display, then choose a calculation to apply to those values.
Common Rollup Calculations
| Calculation | Result |
|---|---|
| Count | Total number of linked entries |
| Sum | Total of a number property across linked entries |
| Average | Mean value of a number property across linked entries |
| Show Original | Displays the raw values from linked entries |
| Percent Checked | Share of linked entries with a checkbox marked |
Practical Example: Budget Tracking
Link expense entries to a single budget entry through a relation. Add a rollup on the budget entry that sums the Amount property from every linked expense. The budget page now shows a live total without manual math, updating the moment a new expense is added.
Practical Example: Progress Tracking
Link tasks to a project and mark each task with a checkbox for completion. Add a rollup using Percent Checked on the project entry. The project page now shows the exact completion percentage as a single, always-current number.
Practical Example: Latest Update Tracking
Link client meeting notes to a client entry through a relation. Add a rollup that shows the most recent Last Edited Time among all linked meeting notes. This tells you at a glance how recently a client relationship was touched.
Rollups Depend on Relations
A rollup cannot exist without a relation property already set up. Build the relation first, then add the rollup on top of it. Removing the relation breaks any rollup built from it, so plan your relations carefully before layering rollups on top.