Notion: When to use databases vs pages

I get asked a lot from people "should I use a database or a page? and how do you decide?"

This is an basic overview of how I think about when to use databases vs pages.

Databases are incredibly powerful, so I tend to nest a lot of databases inside of other pages, like inside my Areas page.
Master Tasks = database.
Weekly agenda = database
Areas = Page, with large databases inside.
Resources = Page, with large databases inside

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[jasmineshiree]

BOOKMARK THIS VIDEO:
No matter how much Notion evolves this video is timeless

[carolshepherd]

Thank you so much for your videos. You explain things so well. I have just began with Notion. I like the time you take the time needed for each topic, and don’t rush through it.

[martymcdonald]

Thank you! You explained the databases vs pages perfectly, clearing up my confusion!

[ChibiKeruchan]

page are "Rooms"
Database are "Shelves"

that is all it takes to make people understand what is it.
I'm an Evernote user who started notion a month ago. after testing it out and playing with it.
I learn that the best way to use it is to make a General Database for everything.
I called that database "anything under the sun". property are
everything goes there.

then I made pages / Rooms. for my favorites
on the room I link a database view filtered [category = favorites].
with different views called Manga, movies music, series, books. all filtered by tags.
that room is filled with all my favorites. and that without making a brand new database.

the reason for not making databases for every page is for "EASE of USE"
I do not want to go to find and go certain page to add content. (that's just tiring to do so)
taking notes should be as easy as click and drop it there.



So I only need to go to "anything under the sun" database to add Every content.

[leorassi]

Very good how you explain and show the differences!! Thanks a lot!

[MelissaAtwell]

Thank you for sharing this! You are a genius. Such useful information, and exactly what I needed!

[coachbear]

Thank you. This is what I was looking for.

[HomesickMac]

I keep getting back to this video for more inspiration and while I'm building a structure in my Notion... I'm a bit puzzled regarding your Home Projects Area. It's a page within the Areas and I see the relational db connected inside of Home Projects - a database "House Ideas + inspiration". I'd be interested to know where this database is in the hierarchy of your Notion. Thanks!

[sdaiwepm]

Vastly more insightful and helpful than Notion's own videos or the TFE channel. Thank you!

[karineliuti]

It has helped me a lot! thank you so much Marie! :)

[causecaos]

Great video, I find myself creating pages and then creating the databases inside just for that added flexibility with the data around it :)

[RichardBrownNZ]

Thanks for another helpful video. Discovered Notion last year and didn't really know what to do so forgot about it. But found your getting started video a few days ago and now I get it! Transitioning from my OneNote+Todoist setup bit by bit now :)

[syedshah]

Thanks for clarifying. Can you do one video explaining formulas?

[anandnivedan]

Hi.. Marie, thank you for the lucid presentation. I like your videos, and specially this one. Can you please tell me how to navigate from one page to another (pages created in a database) with ease? Is there any keyboard shortcut, or some means to do so in single step.

[GustavoOcampoBecerra]

I Have watched all the YouTube videos that have Marie Poulin as a Keyword. You're Truly a Notion Expert. I Love the time you give us. When are you Launching a Notion Course?

[alibozorgi]

thank you for this informative video! I have a question I want to create a time schedule for my operating room, 2 days in a week I have operation and I want to register the list of patients and their diagnosis and the result of operation. Do you suggest me to use a template (such as personal CRM) or I should use pages/databases?

[thanhvyho]

Now i understand the difference!! TYSm

[justintzojoshua]

Great video. Do you use your own icons?

[sebastienbarre]

Thank you! and nice angry emoji for the "Neighbours" area :)

[quadstar]

how do i add a gallery below a gallery view in one page, when i do it it is all vertical with two data each horizontal column