In this guide, we will look at the Notion datatype before we look at and summarise each Datatype available in Notion. This guide updates our previous Notion datatype guide. Notion has added numerous data types since I wrote the original guide almost two years ago.
What is a Notion datatype?
A datatype defines the type of data that can be stored within a Notion attribute or field. Notion supports many datatypes, which I will summarise in the next section.
Datatypes supported by Notion
This section will contain information on each data type supported by Notion at the time of writing.
Notion Text datatype
The notion text datatype allows a Notion attribute to store a string of alphanumerical characters.
Text fields are perfect for the name or descriptive label for the data on that page, such as a task description in a Notion task database.
Notion Number datatype
The number datatype in Notion allows the storage of numerical data only. I use this data type in my task management to store how many hours it will take to complete a task.
Notion select datatype
The Select Datatype allows you to select one item from a specified list of available items. It can be used when selecting one option from a limited list of choices. I use a select datatype to show where a content idea is currently in my process. This data type is required for the Kanban view. For further information on views, check out the guide to Notion database views.
Notion multiple select Datatype
The multiple-select Datatype allows you to select multiple items from a specified list of available items. It can be used when selecting one option from a limited list of choices. I use a select datatype to show where a content idea is currently in my process. It is not suitable for a Kanban view as it allows multiple values to be selected. You should only use this attribute if you want to be able to select multiple values.
Notion Date Datatype
The Notion date Datatype allows date and, if switched on, time data to be stored inside an attribute. I use them to store date values, such as due dates, within my task list. Dates can be selected from a calendar by the user.
Notion checkbox Datatype
The Notion checkbox data type stores a Boolean value within a Notion database parameter.
A Boolean value can be thought of as being true or false, on or off. The checkbox is used in many of my Notion databases to mark things as completed.
I’m then able to filter out the completed tasks and projects. You can learn more in our guide to setting up Notion database filters.
Notion Person Datatype
Allows a user defined on your Notion workspace to be stored within a Notion database parameter. Possible uses could be to assign a task to a specific member of a team.
Notion file & Media Datatypes
The Notion file and media datatype allow files to be attached or embedded within the database attribute. It is a functionality that I don’t yet use personally. The ability to upload or embed a file related to a project within a Notion page detailing that project would be handy, allowing you to access related files easily.
Notion URL (Universal Resource Locator) Datatype
The URL (Universal Resource Locater) allows you to store the location of resources across the Internet. In most use cases, these will be links to web pages. These properties will then act as a hyperlink.
Notion email datatype
A Notion attribute with this Datatype can store email addresses. I don’t personally use this Datatype.
Notion phone Datatype
A Notion attribute with this Datatype can store telephone numbers. I don’t personally use this Datatype. One example of where this Datatype would be helpful is in a Notion contacts database.
Notion relation Datatype
The Notion relation datatype is one of the most powerful datatypes in Notion, as it allows you to form relationships with other Notion databases or even within the same database. This Datatype allows me and millions of others to create their own productivity system in Notion.
I use relation datatypes to create relationships from my goals and ideas all the way down to my task. While my task database.
You can learn more about the Notion relation datatype in our guide to Notion database relationships.
Notion rollup datatype
The Notion rollup datatype is a partner datatype to the Notion relation datatype, and it pulls through data contained within the page at the other end of that page relation. It isn’t a datatype I have used, but I can see how it would be helpful.
For example, using the rollup function, I could use this Datatype to provide any information on the originating goal or idea of the project from which the task was created.
Notion formula datatypes
The Notion formula datatype can be used to calculate the values of other attributes using formulas. This Datatype is like the relation Datatype’s extremely powerful functionality. It isn’t something I have spent much time investigating. However, I have found this guide on how to use formulas in Notion which looks like a good place to get started,
Notion AI Datatypes
One of the main drivers for my wanting to write an updated guide was the introduction of new AI-generated datatypes within the application. I ran out of AI credits while exploring them, but I did get a chance to try the Notion AI summary data type. It created a summary of the page.
All the current AI datatypes revolve around creating summaries apart from the AI autofill. The most interesting one is AI translation.
Given the potential risk of the translation being wrong, I have concerns about using the AI translate Datatype. AI generative models are known to, putting it bluntly, lie.
Notion data stamps datatypes
Last but not least, four Notion datatypes allow a parameter to display metadata created when the Notion page is created on the Notion Database block. These parameters provide useful information you can view. Still, they could also be used within calculations created using the Notion formula datatype.
- Created date
- Created by
- Last updated date
- Last updated by
Conclusion
This has been a long guide in which I have summarised all the Notion datatypes and have linked to other references available on our website, and if we haven’t yet created other useful resources.
I recommend two pages for future reading as they are core to understanding how Notion works. Our guide to Notion pages and our guide to Notion blocks.
Edited 27/09/2023 to remove editing instructions from published content.