Notion Formulas 2.0: Overview and Applications

Key Changes in Notion Formulas 2.0

• Rich Content Output

  • Formulas can now output pages.
  • Clicking on a page in a formula takes you to that page.

• Improved Readability

  • Code Editor Features: Line breaks (Shift+Enter), comments (/.../), and indentation are now supported.
  • Comments: Can be multi-line.
  • Indentation: Use Tab to indent code, making it more readable.

• Dot Notation

  • New way to write formulas starting with the argument followed by the function.
  • Example: Instead of sum(a, b, c), you can write (a, b, c).sum().
  • Easier to read and debug complex formulas.

• Error Feedback

  • Errors are now underlined in red with explanations, making debugging simpler.

• Real-time Updates

  • Changes inside a formula update results dynamically, but need to be confirmed using "Done" or Command+Enter to update throughout the database.

• New Functions

  • Notion has introduced several new functions for enhanced formula capabilities.

Example Applications

Creating a Project Dashboard

• Filtered Tasks
  • Use filter function to filter tasks by status.
  • Use length to count tasks (e.g., not started tasks).
• Styled Text
  • Use style function to change text appearance (bold, color, etc.).
• Dot Notation in Practice
  • Easier to apply multiple functions sequentially without losing track of parentheses.
  • Example: tasks.filter(current.status == 'not started').length.
• List Creation
  • Use join function to format and join list items with custom delimiters like new lines, tabs, and symbols.
• Dynamic Content
  • Clickable tasks and statuses, providing intuitive project tracking.

Tracking Client Payments

• Using let for Variables
  • let function to declare variables that can be referenced multiple times in the same formula.
  • Simplifies complex formulas by reducing repetition.
• Constructing Dates
  • Use parseDate function to create real date properties from strings.
  • Example: Construct a date using current year and month, and a fixed start day.
• Date Comparisons
  • Compare current date (now) with constructed date to determine if a client has paid for the month.
  • Adjust the date based on whether the payment date has passed or not.

General Tips

• Styling
  • Formulas can include styling to improve visual appeal and clarity.
• Experimentation
  • Explore available functions and try implementing them in your own databases.
  • Reading formulas and experimenting can lead to powerful implementations.

Formulas can significantly enhance database functionality and visibility, making Notion a more powerful tool for managing various tasks and projects.