Can you create master-detail relationships in Notion?

Yes, you can create master-detail relationships in Notion using its Relation and Rollup properties, which form the backbone of Notion's relational database capabilities. These features allow you to connect records across databases, creating sophisticated data structures where a primary record (like a project) links to multiple subordinate records (like tasks). This functionality transforms Notion from a simple note-taking tool into a powerful database system that can handle complex organizational workflows.

Creating these relationships requires a straightforward setup process. First, establish your master database (such as "Projects") and your detail database (such as "Tasks"). In your master database, add a new property and select "Relation," then choose your detail database to connect the two. When prompted, enable the bi-directional relationship option so both databases can reference each other automatically. This means linking a project to tasks will show all related tasks on the project page, while each task will display its associated project.

The true power emerges when you add Rollup properties to your master database. Rollups let you aggregate information from related records, such as counting total tasks, summing hours worked, or displaying upcoming deadlines. This creates a comprehensive overview where your master records become dashboards showing relevant details at a glance. For instance, a project page can automatically display task counts, completion percentages, and priority levels without manual updates.

However, Notion's approach has some limitations compared to traditional database systems. The relationships exist as property references rather than enforced foreign keys, meaning there's no automatic data integrity enforcement or cascading updates. Additionally, Notion lacks native split-view functionality where selecting a master record instantly displays filtered details in a separate pane. Users must create workarounds using filtered database views and careful page organization to simulate this experience.

Despite these constraints, the flexibility makes up for technical limitations. You can create everything from simple project-task relationships to complex hierarchical structures like parent-subtask connections within the same database. The system works across all Notion plans and integrates seamlessly with templates, making it accessible for both beginners and advanced users building sophisticated workspace architectures.