Database Formulas

A formula makes a read-only value for each row. It can use other properties from that row, so the result updates when those values change.

The basics

Add a Formula (calculated) property, then enter an expression. Use prop("Property name") to refer to a property; its name must match the column exactly. Put text in double quotes.

For example, with Price and Quantity number properties:

prop("Price") * prop("Quantity")

This calculates the total for each row.

Examples

Show a different label depending on a checkbox:

if(prop("Done"), "Complete", "To do")

Add a tax amount to a price:

prop("Price") * 1.1

Round a calculated value to two decimal places:

round(prop("Price") * 1.1, 2)

Check whether a title contains a word:

contains(prop("Title"), "meeting")

Operators and functions

Use +, -, *, and / for arithmetic. Compare values with ==, !=, >, <, >=, and <=. Combine checks with && (and), || (or), and ! (not). Parentheses control the order of calculations. + also joins values when either side is text.

Functions take values in parentheses, separated by commas. Use these functions:

• Logic: if(condition, yes, no), ifs(condition, result, ..., default), and(...), or(...), not(value), empty(value)
• Text: length(value), contains(value, search), startsWith(value, prefix), endsWith(value, suffix), replace(value, search, replacement), replaceAll(value, search, replacement), lower(value), upper(value), trim(value), join(list, separator), slice(text, start, end), concat(...)
• Numbers: abs(value), ceil(value), floor(value), round(value, places), min(...), max(...), sum(...), average(...), mod(value, divisor), pow(value, exponent), sqrt(value), sign(value)
• Conversion: toNumber(value), toString(value), format(value)
• Dates: now(), today(), dateAdd(date, amount, unit), dateSubtract(date, amount, unit), dateBetween(start, end, unit), dateStart(date), dateEnd(date), formatDate(date, "YYYY-MM-DD")

Date units include milliseconds, seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, quarters, and years where applicable. formatDate supports YYYY, MM, DD, HH, and mm.

For example, add seven days to a date:

dateAdd(prop("Due date"), 7, "days")

Formulas use a practical subset of common functions, not the full Notion formula language. If a formula is invalid, Driftleaf shows an error in that formula cell. Formula results are calculated values, not editable cells.