Notion Databases: Filters and Forcing Functions

Notion lets you add filters to databases in order to see certain content - but that's not all filters can do. Filters can also act as forcing functions, adding default content to new rows as they're created. In this tutorial, you'll learn all about forcing functions in Notion and how to use them.

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⏱ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro
00:16 - What are Forcing Functions?
00:51 - Date-Based Forcing Function Example
01:52 - Board-View Forcing Function Example
02:33 - Applying a Default Select Property to New Rows
04:02 - Forcing Functions in Ultimate Tasks
05:16 - Properties That Don't Work as Forcing Functions
07:31 - Relation Forcing Function Example
09:15 - Self-Referential Filters in Database Templates
11:32 - More Notion Resources and Templates

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[arielguaqueta]

You are doing a great job teaching Notion. Thank you for your effort.
I have learn a lot from you.

[juani]

I would like to see a video explain the "formula funtions" in Notion. Great video Thomas!

[synp_]

Really need forcing functions for web clipper contents!!

Thanks to Frank, your videos really help a lot!

[marinanascimento]

you saved my life with the self-referential filter, thank you so much

[evilmarc]

Forced functions is so underrated and a lovely feature. Really speeds up all kinds of entries. I notice it mainly for my cookbook and expense tracker.

[nwilson]

I've watched all your videos so far. You're the first person to be able to put Notion into perspective for me. I'm working on a variation of your master tasks database and I'm having trouble with forcing functions. Your information here explains how to use them for self-referential and read only properties, but where I'm struggling is to force the name of a relation in the same item as the self-referential name property. Perhaps this isn't supported yet? Are these considered writable properties like you explained?

[GraceJudson]

THANK YOU for this. I had it set up correctly and ended up completely hosing it through a series of self-inflicted errors. I had to disentangle those - and then couldn't remember how to do the self-referential thing and YAY - you've solved it for me. Phew. Your videos are *so* helpful. Thank you also for going *quickly*! :)

[dakotacooperr]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 "wake up I know your eyes glazed over a little bit" Thomas I love you and your content

[HardIsEasy]

I find new Status Property is also not working with forcing functions? Edit: Ah seems like there is something wrong only with "is not" filters with new status

[geoffreyriveros]

Without knowing how, I discovered the forcing function on templates by my own, trying to create my "personal project database" . Nice video

[zvjezdanaagatics]

What a great channel for understanding how Notion works! 🙂 I really appreciate your work. 🙏


Is there any possibility to filter a linked database by a rollup?

[tribetransformers]

great videos thank you.. do you have any videos explaining the basics of using advanced filters? i don't understand when to choose empty, not empty, is, is not.. i don't understand how choosing not empty in your example creates a force function..

[nobodyknows]

Forcing functions for rollups is what I need right now. :D

[laurakennedy]

Quick question - when I try to use a "template" (under the little arrow to the right of the NEW button) in the database I'm already working from, I can't seem to get the forcing functions to apply to that template. Is the only way for forcing functions to work to manually add them? Thanks so much - your videos have been so helpful!

[ruhikaradal]

Great video, thank you. Is it possible to set up a self relational filter against a property other than the name on a template? I.e. a linked database? So I would like the template to show me items from a linked database which is one of the properties

[Intenzity]

In the Self-Refential filter section @9:25, you have another db with a relation called "Class" and put your templates in there in order for that to work? How do you put Templates in a database and still have them seen by Notion as templates for that db. There is no "class" choice to filter by the Filter menu. Are they just pages you store somewhere else?

[Farquad]

Is there a way to force the date to go up by 1 day when you create new items in the database?

[shivangsingh]

Thanks a lot for your awesome videos. Because of your video on dashboards, I was able to replicate it. I hope to customize it to my needs. As a university student, I need access to class notes and the courses which I'm taking along with the preview of the calendar. How do you think I should implement all that. Should I create a new page for University and link it to the dashboard?

[Mohammedbasim]

Hi, is there any way to show a databases column sum as a property of another database. For example "vehicle" is a database with a page named cars in its first row. Inside this cars page there is another database which shows "types of cars" and it's price. Now in the "vehicle" database, i want to show the total price of all the cars from the " types of cars" database as a property.

Please note: the next row in "vehicle" database would be truck which should show the total price of all the trucks from "the types of truck" database

[MrEderB]

I'm having trouble using filters with relations when I publish a page. The filters work just fine when I'm accessing them myself, inside my account, but once I publish the page the relation type filters won't work, only filters inside that same database keep working.
Maybe you can help me with this issue. Thank you!